Leeds United appear to have lost faith in Illan Meslier, likewise many fans, after the Frenchman’s questionable performances throughout the 2024/25 Championship season.
The 25-year-old Illan Meslier kept 21 clean sheets in 39 Championship games for Leeds United last season, beaten to the Golden Glove award only by Burnley’s James Trafford.
Despite some impressive numbers, though, Meslier was a weak link in the side. He made three errors leading to goals across the season, and all seemed to come in crucial games in the campaign too.
Eventually, Meslier was dropped as Leeds United’s no.1 and replaced with Karl Darlow. But Daniel Farke is now poised to sign a new no.1 altogether, whilst Meslier is expected to leave the club this summer.
Several goalkeepers are linked with Leeds United right now. One is Dominik Livakovic, and the 49ers now have the chance to potentially swap Meslier with the Croatian international, in a deal that could suit all parties.
Fenerbahce open to swapping Leeds United target Dominik Livakovic, but they have another wish
Fenerbahce have been linked with Meslier in this summer’s transfer window. And soon after Leeds United were linked with Livakovic, there were suggestions online that Leeds and Fenerbahce could do a swap deal for Meslier and Livakovic, with neither player currently in favour at their respective clubs.
Reports in Turkey are now reporting that Fenerbahce are indeed open to a swap deal for Livakovic. But not for Meslier. Turkish outlet F5 Haber report that Jose Mourinho’s preferred goalkeeper target is Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, also linked with Man United, and that Fenerbahce are ‘looking to finalise’ a deal for Chevalier which includes Livakovic and a ‘substantial fee’.
For Leeds, it looks like the door could quickly close on Livakovic, then. But Farke has a secret weapon in Meslier and if Leeds can put forward an offer to sign Livakovic which potentially includes a transfer fee, and Meslier, then the Whites could still win this race.
Leeds United transfer target Dominik Livakovic wants to leave Fenerbahce
Earlier in the summer, reports revealed how Leeds United have made a £6million bid to sign Livakovic, 30, and how Fenerbahce are open to letting the player leave for roughly that amount.
And speaking just last week, Livakovic revealed he wants to leave Fenerbahce. He’s quoted as saying: “My agent is receiving many offers. I want to leave the team.”
So for Livakovic, it could be a case of accepting the first, best offer that comes his way, and for Fenerbahce, a deal that potentially includes Chevalier could be the best possible outcome they could hope for here.
Whilst Leeds United have many goalkeeper targets, more and more seem to be closer to joining other clubs, as we’ve seen happen with so many of Farke’s rumoured transfer targets already this summer.
Leeds kick off their pre-season with a friendly match against Man United on the 19th.
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