Had Leeds United fans been told midway through the season that the club would end the year by getting relegated, many would have been forgiven for assuming Illan Meslier would almost be out of the Elland Road door the moment our fate was sealed.
The Frenchman looked to be back to something like his best for much of the first-half of the campaign. He was making big saves, looked confident when the ball went into his box, and was making fewer mistakes than before. He was ‘outstanding‘ at times.
Leeds fans have been realistic about what the future should hold for Illan Meslier since our first year back in the top-flight. It is remarkable for a goalkeeper to make more than a century of Premier League appearances by the age of 23.
Hard to call what immediate future holds for Illan Meslier
And he has been linked with a number of clubs. Reports from The Sun suggested that Manchester United previously viewed Meslier as a long-term replacement for David De Gea.
Meanwhile, The Athletic has claimed that Tottenham are keen on the youngster for when Hugo Lloris steps aside.
De Gea may be sticking around. But Tottenham are surely going to replace Lloris this summer. And with Leeds being relegated, some may have assumed that Meslier moving on would be a formality.
However, The Sun is now reporting that Jordan Pickford is the goalkeeper Manchester United want. And the Evening Standard has suggested that Spurs are closing in on agreeing personal terms with David Raya.
And you can hardly blame them for looking elsewhere, rather than Meslier.
Leeds unlikely to be swamped with offers
Unfortunately, Meslier had to be taken out of the firing line at Leeds four games before the end of the season. Mistakes crept back into his game. And his confidence appeared to be on the floor before Sam Allardyce opted for Joel Robles.
Joel could not save Leeds. But he certainly looked a lot more dependable than Meslier had done in the final weeks before the change was made.
And with that, it seems that the interest in Meslier has fallen away for the time-being.
Of course, more sides will be keen. And there will probably be some teams who look at Meslier’s form as an opportunity. His stock has probably not been lower since arriving in Yorkshire. So signing him now may see them land a potential bargain.
However, there is surely now a real possibility that Meslier could end up staying put.
Much may depend on what the goalkeeper wants. He may be content to sit on the bench for a while if the right move comes up. Or he may prefer to play regularly, even if that means he is in the Championship for, hopefully, a year.
But there can surely be little doubt that this summer is now highly unlikely to see Meslier follow in the footsteps of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, and net Leeds a big fee.
And with that, Meslier staying put for now is perhaps an outcome that is becoming increasingly likely.
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