Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is still with the club as pre-season preparations begin. Players have reported to West Yorkshire as they undergo fitness tests.
Many would have thought the French keeper would have been the first name out of the door after the events of last season. Meslier was benched for the last seven games of the run-in after a series of errors cost Leeds United crucial points. Daniel Farke decided to make Karl Darlow the first choice for the rest of the season.
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The backup keeper was in goal as the club put in a solid run to win the Championship on the final day of the season.
There were reports that Meslier had a move to Turkey on the cards, but that was ruled out as just speculation.
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Lyon win case at Appeals Committee
Ligue 1 side Lyon were provisionally relegated due to financial problems a few weeks ago. Financial regulators in the division deemed the club’s state as unacceptable and sent them down to the second tier.
John Textor, who is involved in the ownership of Lyon and Crystal Palace, made some big executive decisions as his club appealed to French authorities.
As of this week, Lyon have been reinstated in Ligue 1 after winning their appeal with the DNCG. The French club will now remain in the Europa League due to the decision.
How this affects Leeds United transfer
Credit: Imago Images
This decision indirectly affects Leeds United. The Whites had made Lucas Perri their priority as they sought to upgrade the goalkeeping position this summer. It was reported that Leeds could have signed the Brazilian for as low as £12.8million, but now that Lyon have cleared some of their financial issues, Perri could be off the table.
Graham Bailey explained this further:
“I think it makes it very difficult, I think them going down would have made him getable.
“I don’t think he’s ungetable but he won’t be cheap. I don’t see it really, but you know, he’s he’s got a lot of interest there.
“I don’t think he’s in a massive hurry to leave, from what I’m told, now they’re staying up, they’re playing in Europe.”
Lucas Perri would have been a better option than Meslier
There is no doubt that Illan Meslier will be replaced this summer. But Leeds need to make sure his replacement is Premier League quality.
Credit: DataMB
Lyon’s Lucas Perri checks this box. He was a solid stopper in Ligue 1 last season, and statistically prevented a lot of goals. The Brazilian is the exact profile of keeper Leeds should be
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