Lucas Perri, Leeds United
Credit: Imago
Evan Lloyd
Mon 7 July 2025 12:15, UK
Leeds United are in talks to sign Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Ahead of a return to the Premier League, Daniel Farke’s side are keen to sign a new number one with Illan Meslier coming under fire several times last season.
Perri could become the fourth new signing to put pen to paper at Elland Road this summer, after the signings of Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmecha kicked off the window.
Leeds are also reportedly in talks to sign Swedish left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, with an agreement with Lille thought to be close.
Meslier is unlikely to start for Leeds next season (Credit: Imago)
Perri could be sold in coming days
Leeds United soared to win the Championship last season, but their victories often came despite their goalkeeper.
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Several high-profile blunders littered Meslier’s season, including a viral howler against Sunderland, when the Frenchman, under no pressure, inexplicably allowed a simple bouncing ball to drift past him, denying Leeds two points in the closing moments.
The young goalkeeper had enjoyed promising seasons in the Premier League following his arrival at Leeds in 2020, but such performances appear now a distant memory.
Illan Meslier Championship (2024/25)
Appearances 39
Goals prevented -2.73
Errors leading to goals 3
Meslier struggled for Leeds last season (stats via Fotmob)
Farke’s first choice to replace Meslier appears to have come in the form of 27-year-old Perri.
According to L’Equipe (July 7), the Brazilian looks a prime candidate to leave Lyon this summer, and could be sold to the Premier League in the coming days for around £19.8million.
Leeds have been heavily linked with a move for the goalkeeper, who joined the Ligue 1 club just 18 months ago from Botafogo, and is also attracting interest from AS Monaco.
Lyon currently find themselves wrapped up in an appeal protesting their demotion to Ligue 2, following a review into the poor state of their finances.
Meslier’s replacement is a necessity
Leeds and Daniel Farke will not be under any false impression about their return to the Premier League.
The league’s difficulty for newly-promoted teams is only increasing, and the Whites’ goal will undoubtedly face more than a fair share of pepperings.
A goalkeeper capable of standing tall and resisting in such scenarios is an absolute must.
And unfortunately for Meslier, the 25-year-old’s form in recent seasons has only proved that he is anything but that.
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