Illan Meslier is out in the cold at Leeds United at present following Lucas Perri’s arrival at Elland Road and his own lack of exit transfer.
Leeds’ attempts to build from the back during the first half of the summer window were largely successful. Included in that was the vital search for a new goalkeeper.
Lucas Perri was the man Leeds landed on for £15.6million, and in the process, it pushed Illan Meslier out to the fringes.
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Illan Meslier left in Leeds United limbo after summer transfer window closes
Once Perri arrived at Leeds, it was clear Meslier was best off pursuing an exit. The pre-season trip to Dublin, followed by four competitive games in August have proven where the Frenchman stands in the pecking order.
However, with deadline day notably passing as no incoming transfers were secured, Meslier also ended up staying put.
Leeds United failed to secure transfer exit for Illan Meslier in the summer. (Action Images/Lee Smith)
It wasn’t for the lack of interest, as reports claimed his former club Lorient tabled a bid, while Carlos Corberan’s Valencia were also keen.
Meslier’s days at Elland Road are of course numbered, though. His long-term contract is into the final year, expiring in the summer of 2026.
Galatasaray tried and failed with late bid for Leeds United’s Illan Meslier
Another club that were reportedly keen on signing Meslier was Turkish giants Galatasaray, according to Foot Mercato.
They share that Galatasaray were in a frantic search for a new goalkeeper during the summer window, which shuts on Friday 12th September.
Galatasaray submitted a reported 15 offers to goalkeepers far and wide. Leeds’ Meslier featured high on their shortlist, but a transfer never transpired:
“According to our information, the Turkish club made at least 15 official offers to goals during the summer. The Gala tried in particular to recruit the three goalkeepers of Manchester City (Ederson), the French goalkeeper of Leeds United Illan Meslier or the last rampart of Al-Hilal Yassine Bounou before falling back on Ugurcan Çakir in a kind of panic buy.”
No surprise that Leeds United didn’t sanction deal for Illan Meslier to join Galatasaray
This would have been a massively unpopular transfer. It needs no further explanation as to why Leeds fans wouldn’t want us doing business with that club.
Meslier still has to leave to actually progress his career, but his options are incredibly small as we speak. Only the Saudi Pro League looks viable beyond this Turkish deadline tomorrow.
If a move doesn’t transpire, he’s going to be left in limbo until at least January. You’d expect he won’t play a single minute for us this season.
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