Leeds United have to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, with Karl Darlow as second-choice and Illan Meslier then sold.
Illan Meslier is set to leave after seven seasons at Elland Road as Leeds United are reportedly offering Meslier to other clubs and an exit edges closer.
A few weeks ago, we reported Meslier could stay at Elland Road into next season. Truthfully, Meslier could have been a Leeds icon after over 200 appearances but more recent updates suggest he is heading elsewhere.
News of interest has ramped up of late. RC Strasbourg are one side keen on Meslier this summer after Simon Grayson backed the decision to drop Meslier during the Championship run-in.
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Illan Meslier could be replaced by Leeds with Man City’s Stefan Ortega
Others, including Phil Hay, think Meslier is done at Leeds. The Frenchman being dropped coincided with a return to form at the back end of 2024/25 and he is out of contract in 12 months as well.
Given Leeds are offering him to other clubs, it’s unsurprising that Meslier has been in talks with Fenerbahce and Graeme Bailey believes Turkey is the most likely destination for the 25-year-old in the current transfer window.
Leeds have been linked with a number of goalkeepers already this summer to replace him, but nothing concrete has materialised in terms of a transfer deal being struck.
However, The Athletic have reported about the availability of Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega. The stopper could reportedly be tempted by the opportunity to become first-choice at another Premier League or European club.
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Not only that but the 32-year-old could come cheap. That’s because, even if he stays for next season, he might not sign an extension and could be a free agent in 12 months. Selling now, therefore, makes sense for Man City.
Some might argue that playing for an elite side and playing for a Premier League team battling relegation require different attributes from your goalkeeper. For example, they need the mental fortitude to bounce back from conceding numerous goals.
Ortega has not had to deal with that under Pep Guardiola, but he has ample experience of it during his time with Arminia Bielefeld. For two seasons, Ortega was outstanding for a side who finished 15th and 17th in those years.
After three seasons of being City’s No.2, he could become No.1 for Leeds instead. The Whites would be silly not to contemplate Ortega in the summer transfer window over other options.
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The data suggests Stefan Ortega is a game-changer of a goalkeeper
Ortega has played 56 times in the last three seasons for Manchester City in all competitions, but only 25 of those appearances have been league games.
That’s why he is keen to be the starting goalkeeper somewhere. Prior to moving to Manchester, he had been a consistent first-choice for a number of seasons at different clubs in Germany.
Per FBref, Ortega had one of the best save percentage figures in the Premier League (albeit in a limited number of minutes and with a small sample size) for Man City in 2024/25 and in 2023/24 — with 68% or above.
He also ranked as the best (93.3%) in 2022/23 across a slightly smaller sample. Across five seasons of top flight football for Man City and Bielefeld, Ortega also has a post-shot xG of +12.3.
That is excellent in 92 league games. It means he adds roughly 0.13 goals per 90 to his team’s defensive record. It’s not quite what James Trafford managed in the Championship, but he would be an excellent addition for a reasonable fee for Leeds.