For one Leeds United player, this summer always looked likely to spell the end of his time at the club, whether the Whites had earned promotion or not.
Last season, Leeds United won the Championship title on the final day, finishing ahead of 2nd place Burnley only on goal difference.
It was a tricky ending for Daniel Farke’s side. But they got over the line, earning promotion to the Premier League after spending two seasons in the Championship.
And in the last few days, the club’s transfer window has really burst into life with Leeds United poised to sign Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach, bolstering the midfield with two towering players.
Next up, we could see an attacker arriving at Elland Road with reports that Leeds United have held talks with Igor Paixao: the Brazilian has an incredible 26 goal contributions in the Eredivisie last season (16 goals and 10 assists). Leeds could end up paying Feyenoord £26million to sign the winger this summer.
But it’s not all rosy at Thorp Arch, with Illan Meslier looking poised to leave.
- READ MORE: Igor Paixao has already given his answer to potential £30m Leeds United transfer, ‘In any case…’
The latest on Illan Meslier’s Leeds United future
Right at the start of summer, reports revealed how Meslier was finally set to leave Leeds United. It comes after his very questionable performances in the 2024/25 season which saw Karl Darlow eventually reinstated as the no.1, and following promotion, there seemed to be little chance of Meslier ever playing for the Whites again.
So far this summer, Meslier has had links to Turkey, though nothing concrete has yet come about. But posting on X, journalist Graham Smyth has interest in the 25-year-old Meslier is now ‘starting to pick up’.
Smyth adds that there’s nothing firm at this moment in time, but that Leeds United are ‘making progress’ in their pursuit of a new no.1, with several having been linked with a move to West Yorkshire already this summer. For Farke though, his ideal Meslier replacement has already been identified.
Lucas Perri looks set to replace Illan Meslier at Leeds United
Already this summer, there have been a horde of goalkeepers linked with a move to Leeds United.
But Lyon’s Lucas Perri has been revealed as Farke’s chosen replacement for Meslier: reports just last week revealed that Perri is Leeds United’s top goalkeeper target this summer, and he looks poised to leave the French club.
Lyon has avoided relegation to Ligue 2 amid their financial uncertainty. But given the situation, player sales look likely this summer, and Leeds could well benefit from the club’s woes with the potential signing of Perri.
Whoever the goalkeeper that comes in this summer, it’s seemingly nailed on that Meslier leaves. Where he ends up remains a bit of a mystery at this moment in time, though expect it to be somewhere in the continent with Championship clubs surely hesitant about a move after his performances last season.
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