Good news for Leeds in bid to keep ‘phenomenal’ star as Roberto De Zerbi closes in on £9m deal

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Leeds United’s star players continue to be linked with new clubs day after day as the summer window begins to hot up, but one player might end up staying after all.

Archie Gray has gone to Tottenham for a fee of £40m and that move has strengthened Leeds’ position when it comes to clubs eyeing a move for the elite members of Leeds’ squad, the jewels in the crown.

The likes of Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara and Junior Firpo have all been linked with the exit door this summer. But another is goalkeeper Illan Meslier, with Marseille interested.

The Frenchman has had his critics, but there is still no getting away from the fact that he won the golden love in The Championship last season. In 46 league games, he kept 21 clean sheets, conceding only 39.

• READ MORE: Southampton are willing to sell ‘superstar’ for £8m and Leeds should move

Marseille linked with signing Illan Meslier from Leeds

Roberto De Zerbi’s new side are in the market for a new goalkeeper as Pau Lopez looks set to head to newly-promoted Italian side Como, under the guidance of Welsh manager Osian Roberts this summer.

Marseille have a number of players on their shortlist like former Nottingham Forest man Brice Samba, but also Meslier. However, this week, Leeds have received some good news in their hope of keeping Meslier.

That is because Canaries7 among other outlets say Marseille have chosen to sign a different goalkeeper, in the form of Las Palmas star Alvaro Valles for a fee believed to cost the French club a total of £9m.

Meslier likely to attract more interest as window gets older

Leeds are in solid enough position when it comes to Meslier’s contract. He has two years left to go on the deal, until June 2026 and for this summer that is fine but moving forward, it leaves Leeds with a decision.

Described as a “phenomenal” goalkeeper by Rob Green, Meslier must either be offered a new contract by Leeds before next summer when his contract enters a final year or be sold at a slightly cheaper price.

The chances of Meslier penning new terms right now are unrealistic. He is a Premier League-standard goalkeeper and while he may stay this summer, his long-term future hinges on promotion in 2024-25.