Leeds United receive Illan Meslier transfer boost as details emerge from France

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Leeds United could well lose a couple of players in the January transfer window with a handful of Elland Road stars being linked with the exit door at the midway point.

Daniel Farke is expecting a quiet January but Leeds may be forced into the January window to replace a couple of players if indeed, they rubber stamp some sales. Joe Gelhardt wants to leave Leeds in January.

Understandable, given his lack of game time. QPR are the latest club to eye Gelhardt but are unlikely to be able to afford him permanently while Junior Firpo is a target for SuperLig giants Besiktas next month.

Elsewhere, Max Wober has been targeted by old club Salzburg while Wolves have been touted with a bid for left-footed Wober. Illan Meslier is being linked with a move to Rennes, reuniting with Glen Kamara.

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Leeds boost as Rennes touted with move for £9m bargain instead

The initial report says that Rennes had compiled a two-man shortlist, comprising of Meslier and PSV’s Argentine goalkeeper Walter Benitez. Jorge Sampaoli is keen to replace 39-year-old Steve Mandanda.

It was even claimed that Rennes would be willing to pay £15m for Meslier. But now, a new report from Jeunes Footeux suggest Rennes could make a move for highly-rated French goalkeeper Alban Lafont.

Rated as one of Europe’s best young stars when coming through at Toulouse, Lafont has lost his place at Nantes and Jeunes Footeux say £9m would be enough with Rennes touted to make a January move.

Alban Lafont at £9m will surely tempt Rennes over Illan Meslier

Not only is there little chance Leeds would sell Meslier in January, but even if The 49ers would be willing to let him go, he would cost a whole lot more than £9m. Lafont meanwhile, is similar to Meslier.

The difference being that Lafont is experienced in Ligue 1 and at £9m, he is a real bargain. A goalkeeper that has the scope to far exceed a price tag of £9m, meaning Rennes can get a top keeper on the cheap.

A goalkeeper that is proven in France’s top tier, Lafont is the better move for Rennes at a smaller fee than signing Meslier for a fee far greater. A reunion between Kamara and Meslier then, seems unlikely.