This week, Illan Meslier has been linked with a move to Glen Kamara’s Rennes in January and if such a move happens, Leeds United will be forced to enter the January window to find a replacement.
Meslier has now been at Leeds for more than four years. The Frenchman is just six games shy of clocking up a huge 200 appearances for the club since initially joining Leeds on loan from Lorient back in 2019.
But the club’s second vice-captain is also about to enter the final 18 months of his Leeds contract and a decision needs to be made before the summer. However, that decision may be taken out of Leeds’ hands.
Glen Kamara’s Rennes want to sign Meslier, as Jorge Sampaoli looks to replace veteran Steve Mandanda. Indeed, Meslier is one of two names on the Rennes shortlist alongside PSV Eindhoven’s Walter Benitez.
Leeds must sign ‘phenomenal’ goalkeeper to replace Illan Meslier
Leeds fans are keen for Meslier to go, having become disillusioned with his mistakes over the years. Not many will need a reminder of what the Frenchman did at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.
So if Meslier goes, he will need replacing. But there is only one player The Whites should consider and it is a goalkeeper that has been on the Leeds radar before, in the form of Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson.
In the summer, Leeds were linked with Johansson. But he joined Stoke from Rotherham after Steve Evans described Johansson as “phenomenal”. Since his move to Stoke, Johansson has been superb.
Johansson’s Championship stats are actually better than Meslier
While Stoke have struggled once again this season, Johansson has been a rare shining light at the Bet365 Stadium. He has played all 21 games for Stoke this season, conceding 25 and keeping six clean sheets.
His six clean sheets is a lot less than Meslier’s 11. But, Meslier has been helped out by the defence in front of him and if delving a little deeper, it is actually Johansson that is playing better in the Championship.
Indeed, Johansson has saved 76.2% of shots faced, more than three of every four shots faced. Johansson boasts the Championship’s fifth-best save percentage, with Michael Cooper and James Trafford top two.
However, Meslier is miles down the list in 13th place and it was worse before Saturday’s win over Derby. He has only managed to save 67.5% of shots faced, meaning Meslier will concede once every three shots.
If Rennes do decide to pursue a deal for Meslier in January and it does feel like there is a chance, there is only one goalkeeper that Leeds should target and it is Stoke’s Sweden international Johansson.
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