If there is one player that desperately needs to leave Leeds United this summer, it is Illan Meslier, and finally it looks as if the club has found a buyer for the French goalkeeper.
Initially signed on loan from Lorient in the summer of 2019 and signed permanently a year later after promotion under Marcelo Bielsa, Meslier starred for Leeds during his first couple of years at Elland Road.
But, after Sam Allardyce dropped him and Leeds were relegated, Meslier has failed to rediscover his best form, which largely came in the first two of Leeds’ three seasons in the Premier League before relegation.
Daniel Farke’s first season saw Meslier make some mistakes; his second season saw Meslier guilty of some howlers. To the point that Farke dropped him and Phil Hay said Meslier is “done” at Elland Road, now.
A buyer has been found for Leeds United’s Illan Meslier
Meslier’s future at Leeds is over. Lucas Perri has been signed and given the no.1 shirt, while Karl Darlow is now largely considered back-up. Daniel Farke basically confirmed Meslier was behind those two in Dublin.
In fact, Meslier did not even travel to Ireland to take on Milan. However, Leeds faced a problem and it was finding a buyer for the France U21 stopper, who finds himself in the final year of his Leeds contract.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, who has covered numerous Leeds stories this summer, claims on X that Meslier’s former side, Lorient, is keen to re-sign him in their attempts to stay in Ligue 1 this season.
“Illan Meslier has interest from Lorient. Frenchman could return to his boyhood club. Lorient have made contact with Leeds to inquire about the possible conditions of a transfer. Wait and See.”
Which other clubs have shown interest in Illan Meslier?
Lorient seem like a club that would suit Meslier. The goalkeeper harbours ambitions to play for France and he won’t want to join a side where he is simply back-up. Joining Lorient would see him as first choice.
LeedsUnited.News understands that PSG have considered Meslier as back-up to Lucas Chevalier. Lille are also said to have approached Leeds to replace Chevalier, while Cesc Fabregas’ Como are also interested.
But Lorient will pull at Meslier’s heartstrings and give him the best chance of starting matches and being a first-choice goalkeeper at the top level. Meslier needs a move and a return to Lorient is very realistic.
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