Leeds United are about to resume their pre season preparations, and Illan Meslier is still with the team. The French keeper has been widely expected to seek an exit this summer.
Reports suggested that the 25-year old was offered to clubs in an effort to offload him, but no one has a concrete offer. With every passing week, it looks very unlikely that Meslier will be in the team for the first Premier League game in August.
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Daniel Farke made the big decision to bench him during the run-in, and it paid off as Leeds won the league. That was not the first time Meslier’s place was under threat. Sam Allardyce also removed him from the lineup in 2023, and his goalkeeping coach even advised the Frenchman to leave the club.
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Leeds United make choice for next goalkeeper
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The Whites have had a long list of targets to become their first choice keeper. Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone have all been linked with moves to Elland Road. One thing that is almost certain this summer is that Illan Meslier is on his way out. There is a huge doubt that the Frenchman will be in goal in the first week of the season.
Leeds were undecided between Lucas Perri and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. They even held talks with Torino over triggering his release clause.
Italian journalist Marco Giordano has now revealed that the Whites have chosen to target the Lyon goalkeeper. A move could be complicated after the French side won their appeal to be reinstated in Ligue 1.
Napoli move for Milinkovic-Savic
The report from Giordano also adds that Milinkovic-Savic could be on his way to Napoli. The Serie A champions were locked in talks with Torino, but they did not want to pay the fee.
It looks like the situation has changed, and Antonio Conte’s side can move for the Serbian stopper. The Leeds interest was valid, but sources from Italy claimed that the 28-year old was not keen on a move to West Yorkshire.
Whites have made a great choice
Lucas Perri is not a bad alternative to Milinkovic-Savic. He might not have the size advantage of the Serbian, but he makes up for it in ability. The Brazilian is also more comfortable in a more possesion-based team.
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With Daniel Farke’s style, Perri could be a good fit. He is also proactive off his line, and can close down danger as the last line of defence. The 27-year old prevented six goals according to statistics, and kept 10 clean sheets last season.
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