Lucas Perri
(Credit: Imago)
Alex Charlton
Mon 14 July 2025 12:10, UK
Leeds United are busy making moves to sign a new goalkeeper ahead of the Premier League season.
Serious question marks hang over current number one Illan Meslier, who endured some tough moments in the Championship last season.
Several names have been linked with a move to Elland Road, including Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas Perri.
Perri has been labelled a top choice for Leeds, although the Yorkshire side have reportedly held talks for Milinkovic-Savic from Torino.
Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to Elland Road (Credit: Imago)
Leeds United target Hollywood goalkeeper after Milinkovic-Savic snub
Leeds have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic, after it was reported that the Serbian has agreed terms with Napoli.
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That means that the Premier League club could now move for Perri, who is another goalkeeper under consideration.
France-based journalist Luke Entwistle has provided insight into the Lyon shot-stopper, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News.
“I find Lucas Perri very fun, although I sometimes find his footwork a little bit scary,” he said.
“He doesn’t always assure you, although most of the time he does get away with it, manages to get the ball away, and progress the ball, but he can be a little bit hairy sometimes in that regard.
“He’s a bit of a Hollywood goalkeeper, likes the Hollywood save for the cameras, he is a good shot stopper, though he’s tall as well, and commands his box.
“It’s quite funny. On the pitch, he is very dominant, I find, but an extremely quiet character off the pitch, very meek and a bit of a gentle giant type.
“He arrived in France and quickly went up the dressing room, tried to learn French, and he’s doing French interviews after about three or four months of living in the country, which I think is just quite exceptional.
“There are question marks about his footwork, and how safe he can be when under pressure consistently, but I like him as a shot-stopper, and I think that he’ll make progress, given that he’s only moved to Europe 18 months ago.
“He’s an interesting shout for Leeds in particular. They obviously need a goalkeeper, and I’m sure they’ll be wary of having someone who can’t use their feet, and I’m not saying that he’s in that category, but he did have a few hairy moments.
“I do think he would nonetheless be an upgrade on Meslier in that regard and also in terms of his shot-stopping.
“I know that was Meslier’s strength, even though it’s one that is dwarfed by his weaknesses, which were exposed so regularly last season.”
Illan Meslier Leeds United
Meslier is set to lose his place next season (Credit: Imago)
Perri is a worthy option for Daniel Farke despite flaws
While there is doubt over Perri’s footwork, he seems to present an upgrade on Meslier.
Last season, the Brazilian made 33 appearances in Ligue 1, keeping 10 clean sheets for Les Gones.
Lucas Perri’s 2024/25 Ligue 1 statistics Total
Appearances 33
Clean sheets 10
Goals conceded per game 1.3
Saves per game 3.5 (73%)
Goals prevented 6.05
Errors leading to goal 1
Perri enjoyed a promising season (Sofascore)
However, the crucial statistic that the Peacocks should pay attention to is his goals prevented; Perri prevented 6.05 league goals last season.
Meslier, on the other hand, let in 2.73 more goals than he should have in the Championship.
With Milinkovic-Savic now out of reach, will Leeds make a move for Lyon’s number one?
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