Leeds United are claimed to be considering a move to sign Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri this summer after the French giants were relegated to Ligue 2 over alarming debts.
The Whites have a glaring issue to resolve in the transfer market before their Premier League survival bid commences at home to Everton, and it’s the goalkeeper spot.
Illan Meslier’s fall from grace from being one of Europe’s brightest goalkeeping talents to being replaced by Karl Darlow highlights how pressing the number one position is for Daniel Farke to get right this summer.
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Leeds United interested in move for Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri after relegation blow
Previously, we touched on the recent news that Lyon are to be relegated to the second tier in France due to massive debts under owner John Textor, and therefore could be subject to a fire sale with clubs across Europe surely alerted to potential bargain deals.
L’Equipe report that Leeds are looking at the possibility of signing goalkeeper Lucas Perri this window, alongside emerging powerful Saudi Arabian presence Neom SC.
(REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)
While the “XXL wages” – as the report puts it – on offer in the Middle East would be a significant draw for Perri, with teammate Alexandre Lacazette heading to the same club, Lyon are claimed to be holding on with their 27-year-old goalkeeper for the time being due to other clubs potentially submitting offers.
“But the Rhône leaders should play for time for several reasons: they must wait to know the fate of the club, L1 or L2, and they also know that other clubs have made Perri their priority, including Leeds in the Premier League, which could raise the stakes.”
Leeds are said to have made the Brazilian their priority this month after news of Lyon’s demise, and could be getting a very good goalkeeper in the process, if they pursue an agreement.
The 6ft5in Perri payed 33 times for Lyon in Ligue 1 last season, keeping 10 clean sheets and boasting a solid save percentage of 74.4% – better than the likes of Arsenal’s David Raya, Everton’s Jordan Pickford, and Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, a player Leeds have held talks with too.
Leeds United need a new goalkeeper and Lucas Perri would be a great signing
“The best in the world” was how Lyon’s outspoken manager Paulo Fonseca described Perri in March following victory over Steaua București.
Now, that’s obviously an exaggeration, but the Brazilian is rated incredibly highly by those he’s worked with in France and he had big shoes to fill in replacing Anthony Lopes in goal for Lyon.
The stats back up this argument and despite his strong frame, has an athletic spring to pull off a number of superb saves for his club.
The pressure Leeds are under to get the goalkeeper position right is obvious, but someone of Perri’s calibre would be some way to address the position.
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