Player warming Leeds United bench could play in the Champions League next season as English boss eyes move

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With Leeds United now on the cusp of securing automatic promotion following Friday’s win over Oxford United, the club will already be preparing for a window in which they will need to rebuild.

If promoted, The 49ers want six major signings at Elland Road this summer. Adam Pope predicted six big players to join the club and over £100m to be spent – after Southampton and Ipswich did last summer.

But if Leeds are going to buy players, then The 49ers will know they may have to sell one or two to raise funds. One player likely to be seen as expendable is Illan Meslier, after Daniel Farke dropped the stopper.

Farke is said to be considering Meslier’s future at Leeds ahead of the summer, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season. French side Rennes, and soon-to-be relegated Leicester are interested.

• READ MORE: What Chris Wilder said about the automatic promotion race after 2-0 victory

Liam Rosenior wants to sign Leeds United stopper Illan Meslier

Liam Rosenior is enjoying a stellar first season in Ligue 1 after being harshly sacked by Hull last summer. The Englishman has been astute in the transfer market and has guided Strasbourg to a lofty fifth so far.

A solid 0-0 draw with Monaco on Saturday sees Strasbourg sit in fifth place, only behind Lyon on goal difference. Lyon sit in fourth in Ligue 1, currently set to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

A report from Jeunes Footeux say Strasbourg are in the market for a goalkeeper with Leeds target Djordje Petrovic set to return to Chelsea after an impressive loan. Rosenior is considering £13.75m-rated Meslier.

If Leeds receive an eight-figure bid for Illan Meslier, he has to go

Not just because he’s been dropped after a series of mistakes this season, and not just because of the form of Karl Darlow. The main reason Leeds need to sell Meslier is because his contract ends in 2026.

There is little chance that Meslier signs a new deal. Indeed, it would spark an outrage among Leeds fans and The Whites would be much better off going into the market and signing a new goalkeeper.

If Leeds receive an eight-figure bid for Meslier then he simply has to go. The report suggests Meslier is rated at £13.75m and if Leeds do receive a bid in that region, then The 49ers have simply got to cash in.