Leeds United may need to purchase a new no.1 during the summer transfer window, especially if the Whites return to the Premier League.
Illan Meslier has been a figure of debate throughout the 2024/25 season. Despite having notched the second-most clean sheets of any Championship goalkeeper this season (20), the Frenchman has simply made too many costly errors.
In games against top six rivals Sunderland and more recently Sheffield United, Meslier has made goalkeeping blunders that have directly lead to goals, and many Leeds United fans are concerned about Meslier being the no.1 beyond this season.
Pundits such as Adrian Clarke have even told Daniel Farke to ditch Meslier in the event of promotion. Coincidentally, several goalkeepers have been linked with moves to Elland Road throughout the season.
Leeds United were backed to sell Meslier in January amid his patchy form. But the 24-year-old remains at Elland Road where he remains the no.1 choice for Farke, who often defends Meslier’s performances.
Come the summer, though, the Leeds man could be replaced by Caoimhin Kelleher, who’s been linked with Leeds throughout the season.
- READ MORE:
Caoimhin Kelleher transfer value could be slashed in half by Liverpool
Leeds United have been linked with Kelleher throughout the 2024/25 season now. The Republic of Ireland no.1 has been playing no.2 at Anfield and it’s understood that he’s keen to seal a permanent exit in the summer, with his contract expiring in 2026.
Several clubs have tried to sign Kelleher this season including Nottingham Forest. But Liverpool have so far been playing hardball over the valuation of the 26-year-old, who Mirror journalist David Anderson says is valued ‘at between £30million and the £40million’ by the Reds.
But in an emerging report, Anderson now writes for Mirror that Liverpool ‘may have to reduce their asking price to £20million to facilitate a deal’ for Kelleher, as to avoid losing him for free in the summer of 2026.
- READ MORE:
Leeds United face one huge challenge in race to sign Caoimhin Kelleher
Expect Kelleher to be a man in high demand this summer. He’s proven with Liverpool and Ireland that he’s a capable goalkeeper and there seems to be a lot of English clubs looking for a new no.1 ahead of the summer.
Leeds are one team interested, but Kelleher is a no.1 target for Chelsea too, and with Liverpool bumping the price down it could tempt the likes of Chelsea, who remain a very wealthy club, to highball the likes of Leeds United and seal a deal for Kelleher.
It’s arguably down to Meslier and whether he can convince Farke between now and the summer that he remains the best choice goalkeeper for Leeds United.
The Whites return to Championship action away at Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
