Celtic are keeping tabs on Leeds United player signed by Marcelo Bielsa

Add as preferred source on Google

Illan Meslier was Leeds United’s undisputed No.1 going into 2025. But football can change quickly and the Frenchman now finds himself third choice, in the final year of his Elland Road contract.

Initially joining Leeds back in 2019 under Marcelo Bielsa, Meslier came in for Kiko Casilla towards the end of Leeds’ promotion campaign. Much like Karl Darlow did last season, replacing the out-of-form Meslier.

He signed permanently in 2020 and remained Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper for the next five years, apart from Sam Allardyce’s four-game stint. But mistakes during the 2024-25 season have seen him demoted.

The 3-3 draw against Hull in January, the Sunderland bobble, the 2-2 draw with Swansea and many more saw Daniel Farke finally cave in and drop Meslier. That stance has remained, and clubs are queuing up.

• READ MORE: Sean Longstaff says if he feels he made the right decision to join Leeds United

Celtic monitoring Illan Meslier ahead of surprise move

The Frenchman now finds himself in the final year of his deal, only making the Leeds bench currently due to Lucas Perri’s injury. Perri is expected to be fit for Leeds’ next game, when the Whites go to Burnley.

If Perri is fit, it is unclear if the Brazilian will come in or Darlow will retain his place. One thing is for sure: Meslier won’t be on the bench if both Darlow and Perri are available come Saturday afternoon.

LeedsUnited.News insider Graeme Bailey reports that Celtic are among the clubs monitoring Meslier ahead of the January window. Kasper Schmeichel remains no.1 at Parkhead, but he turns 39 in December.

Bailey told LeedsUnited.News: “Form is temporary, class is permanent. Meslier is a very good goalkeeper. If Celtic signed Illan Meslier, that would be an upgrade. I have no shadow of a doubt about that.

“Schmeichel brings other things like experience and masters the backline. So he does add other things as well. Meslier would be very expensive for them, but Celtic have the lure of Champions League football.

“Leeds would rather the sale, but you know, it is what it is. There’s interest, as in they’re aware of him and looking at him, aware of his situation,” Bailey continued, confirming that Celtic are aware of Meslier.

Illan Meslier came close to a deadline-day exit from Leeds

With Meslier out of the picture, the Frenchman was heavily linked with several clubs in the summer. The likes of PSG, Lille and Como are all said to have taken a look at the former France U21 international.

On deadline day though, it was a two-horse race to land Meslier’s signature. Carlos Corberan’s Valencia or Meslier’s boyhood club, Lorient. However, neither managed to do a deal in time before the deadline.

Whether Valencia, Lorient or any of the aforementioned clubs retain an interest, remains to be seen. But Celtic could make a move for Meslier in January, even on a pre-contract deal given Meslier’s situation.