Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier and Daniel Farke
(Credit: Imago)
Jack Dawson
Tue 8 July 2025 18:25, UK
Leeds have been pursuing a new goalkeeper for months ahead of the new Premier League season.
Illan Meslier proved to be far too inconsistent last season, despite Daniel Farke leading the squad to the Championship title.
As a result, Meslier was dropped from Leeds’ lineup, with Karl Darlow playing the remaining matches.
Therefore, it is expected that a new goalkeeper will be brought into Elland Road ahead of the new season.
However, with just weeks to go before the start of the new Premier League campaign, no keeper appears close to joining the Yorkshire club.
Illan Meslier
Meslier proved to be too unreliable last season (Credit: Imago)
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A new goalkeeper ‘is not a Leeds priority’ at the moment
Leeds announced the arrival of Gabriel Gudmundsson on Tuesday, who became Farke’s fourth signing of the summer so far.
Multiple more additions are expected to arrive at Elland Road over the coming weeks, but there have been few substantial goalkeeper links.
Now, according to Sky Sports journalists Zinny Boswell & Keith Downie (8 July), Leeds are in no rush to sign a new keeper this summer.
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)
There is a belief that a goalkeeper would not need the same amount of time to settle into Farke’s system compared to an outfielder.
Therefore, a new keeper is not currently “a priority” at the Yorkshire club as they continue to strengthen their squad.
However, a shortlist has been made. Leeds are interested in both Lyon’s Lucas Perri and Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Yet, Farke may have to give up on Nick Pope, who is set to remain at Newcastle.
Daniel Farke Leeds United
Farke knows the importance of a new goalkeeper this summer (Credit: Imago)
Farke must quickly sign a new goalkeeper
While it is understandable why Leeds have not yet signed a new goalkeeper, this position must be sorted out for their first Premier League game of the season.
The longer this is left for, the more costly it could become in their aim to stay in the division.
If Meslier or Darlow are in goal against Everton, it could end up costing Farke one or three points, which could prove to be crucial at the end of the season.
Hopefully, official moves will be made soon, ready for August.
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