Leeds United appear to be ramping up their search for a new no.1 this summer, with Illan Meslier more than likely to leave Elland Road after a very mixed five-year spell.
Leeds United have several positions still to bolster in this summer’s transfer window, and arguably the most pressing of all is the goalkeeper position.
For the most of last season, that spot was Illan Meslier‘s. But the Frenchman made a string of mistakes and eventually, Daniel Farke axed Meslier from the Leeds United XI and replaced him with Karl Darlow for the run-in.
The difference was evident: the defence had more confidence as Darlow brought an air of calm and reassurance to the side. But Darlow doesn’t look set to be the no.1 going into next season.
Instead, he looks set to be the no.2. Leeds United are set to sell Meslier and so Farke needs a new no.1, of which many have been linked with a move to West Yorkshire so far this summer.
One who’s been in headlines of late is Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Lucas Perri gives a thumbs up during Rangers vs Lyon.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Lucas Perri is actually Leeds United’s no.1 goalkeeper target this summer
Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to Leeds United this summer. But the towering 6ft 8ins former Man United man also has interest from across Europe, with reports that Napoli and Fenerbahce are interested in Milinkovic-Savic as well. But Milinkovic-Savic isn’t the one that Farke wants.
Italian journalist Marco Giordano is reporting that Leeds’ pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic is fading and that Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri is actually ‘the top choice’ for Farke and Leeds United this summer.
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Leeds United have been linked with Perri already this summer. Born in Brazil, the 27-year-old Perri kept 10 clean sheets in 33 Ligue 1 games last season, conceding 44 as Lyon achieved a 6th place finish in the French top tier. It’s understood that Lyon want £12.8million for Perri this summer.
Lyon are in turmoil right now – what’s happening?
Lyon are a staple of French football. But the club was ordered to be relegated to Ligue 2 after racking up a debt bill of €175million (£151million). Thankfully for them, Lyon will not be relegated from Ligue 1 this season and will remain in the French top flight for the next campaign.
But given the scale of their debt, player sales seem likely this summer, and for Leeds United that could be very good news where a move for Perri is regarded: it might also explain why the Whites have made Perri their no.1 choice to replace Meslier.
Recent reports revealed how Leeds United have a three-man shortlist for the goalkeeper spot going into next season: Milinkovic-Savic whom a deal for now looks unlikely, Perri and Robin Zentner.
Mainz 05 goalkeeper Zentner has been linked with Leeds United recently but the latest suggestions around Perri may mean a move for Zentner is also dead in the water, especially given Lyon’s situation which makes player sales look incredibly likely this summer.