There are many transfer topics supporters have aired their grievances over since deadline day but the fact Illan Meslier is still a Leeds United player has left the masses perplexed.
The Frenchman is third in the pecking order, though in reality is perhaps the fourth preferred figure, given it is Alex Cairns that helps the goalkeepers warm up on matchdays. Meslier has not been seen since his display against Villarreal in pre-season.
Yet he is still under contract at Leeds. “There was some interest in Illan, but it wasn't as strong as I'd expect for a player of his calibre,” managing director Robbie Evans said on Tuesday.
“I know that he obviously lost his spot late last season because the team did a change, but he's a good player, a young player, lots of experience.
“And frankly, he didn't want to go into a situation he didn't want to be in. And so it ended up being the case that for both parties, it was better that he be here."
Links with Lorient in France, Rangers and Turkish clubs emerged this summer. None were verified, or were plainly inaccurate, but either way, it seems the 25-year-old decided he would sit on what he’s got at Leeds.
He is in the final year of his contract and risks going for nothing next summer, barring two scenarios. The first is that he gets sold in either January or before June 30, the cut-off date of the current PSR cycle.
The second, perhaps less likely, scenario is that Meslier is sold to a club from a country whose window is open for another few days. This includes Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Greece. But it is also possible that Meslier sits out his contract.
In fact, this raises a wider point. Back-up Karl Darlow and reserve Cairns are also all out of contract next summer. Though this seems unlikely, it is worth pointing out that they can start talking to overseas clubs from January onwards, when they enter the final six months of their deal.
Beyond that, decisions will only realistically be made once it is clear which division Leeds are in next season. Both Darlow and Cairns are more likely to get renewals if United sink back down to the second tier.
At the same time, trying to replace two back up goalkeepers at once is not easy. As of June 30, as things stands, the goalkeeper cohort will shrink from four options to one. Fortunately, the most important - Lucas Perri - will still be contracted.
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri (Image: Tim Clayton/Getty Images)
Though, on the off-chance he delivers a duff season, Leeds may wish to look for a new number one. The hope is that he will not, given his £15.6m cost.
If Leeds stay up, it will be easier to recruit back-ups given the enticement of the Premier League. And with that, perhaps Darlow and Cairns are allowed to leave.
Even if contracted beyond that, neither would go for much but it would deepen United’s poor reputation from this window of not getting fees for players. That’s why it is better for Meslier to go in January, or sooner, especially in light of the club’s PSR situation.
With Leeds at their limit, his sale - even for a small fee - could allow a much-needed loanee or stop-gap to arrive in January to help Leeds bolster hopes of staying in the Premier League.
The goalkeeper picture is currently a stark one but will perhaps only be resolved later on. As for Meslier, his stock has sunk so low as to make him redundant from the shot-stopper equation altogether.
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