Leeds United News have the latest information on Illan Meslier’s Elland Road future following the English transfer window closing.
Illan Meslier is still a Leeds United player on September 2nd, to the surprise of most connected with the Whites. Leeds let go of 22 players last summer, but Meslier did not join the 12 players in summer 2025 to exit.
Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell’s loans expired but it was Josuha Guilavogui, Patrick Bamford, and Junior Firpo leaving on free transfers, with other permanent exits coming via Rasmus Kristensen, Sam Greenwood, and Darko Gyabi.
Max Wober and Isaac Schmidt joined Werder Bremen on loan, Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani exited to Spain’s top division in La Liga on loan, and Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew sealed loans to the EFL again.
Around 10 or so Leeds players looked likely to exit this summer after Guilavogui and Kristensen departed early on. It’s fair to say Meslier and Jack Harrison are perhaps the biggest surprises to end up remaining at Leeds.
Illan Meslier playing for Leeds United.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Illan Meslier’s Leeds situation explained
Lucas Perri’s arrival meant Leeds were open to selling Meslier, given that Meslier became third-choice Leeds goalkeeper. Therefore, it felt likely he would move on before the deadline.
In so many ways, the writing has been very much on the wall, with Meslier stripped of his Leeds shirt number for the start of the season. It was then revealed that Leeds were offering Meslier around for around £5-6 million in Europe.
Then, it came out that PSG and Como considered Meslier as a back-up goalkeeper, amid reports that Lorient were wanting to re-sign Meslier after selling to Leeds in 2020.
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Carlos Corberan and Valencia were said to have an interest in Meslier — alongside Rangers as well. On deadline day, Graham Smyth revealed Lorient and Valencia looked the most likely but nothing materialised.
Other transfer deadlines remain open to Meslier now, but he is a Leeds player and many of the European transfer windows have slammed shut already.
Our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey revealed serious interest from Turkey for Meslier earlier in the summer. He has since provided the latest information on the situation.
Speaking exclusively to Leeds United News, he said: “I think there are definitely a few options for Meslier still. Turkey? Absolutely, yes, they are one of those.
“However, I’m also told Leeds hierarchy and Red Bull higher ups are using their connections and looking for destinations for him — and his people are also working hard.
“The likes of Austria, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and UAE — there are still options for him, if he has the appetite for it.”
One issue with Meslier is that he is over the age of 25 and, therefore, can agree a pre-contract for the summer in January with a foreign club, given he will be in the final six months of his deal.
Illan Meslier playing for Leeds United.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Illan Meslier’s wages are a stumbling block for some clubs
Despite the Ligue 1 interest, the stumbling block was that Meslier had to take a pay cut at Lorient if he were to re-join. It was then said the Lorient move may well be off the table for Meslier.
It didn’t happen and Meslier’s large wages are one of the issues for Leeds this summer, as Leeds United Newssources have confirmed since. The number of available clubs is reduced by that factor.
Value League rank
Clean sheets 21 =2nd
Save percentage 70.7% 6th
Saves per 90 1.7 p90 22nd
Goals prevented (xG difference) -2.7 17th
Goals conceded per 90 0.7 p90 2nd
Illan Meslier’s key stats vs Championship goalkeepers
Capology estimate that it is close to £30,000 per week, but our information is that it is substantially higher than that. It is why Leeds are not sure where he will be, and there is a chance he remains and continues to earn his salary until January.