Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is set for weeks of speculation linking him away from Elland Road, and Todd Boehly’s Strasbourg could be his route of escape.
Despite winning the Championship with a stunning total of 100 points, scoring 95 goals and conceding just 30, there’s no denying Leeds will want to improve quite quickly in the goalkeeper department this summer.
Daniel Farke brutally dropped Illan Meslier from his starting lineup in April and with it comes the inevitable question of what the future holds for the 25-year-old after six years at Elland Road, with one year left on his contract.
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Todd Boehly’s Strasbourg in pursuit of Leeds United’s Illan Meslier
A return to France could be on the cards for Leeds’ number one this summer, according to Jeunes Footeux, who report that Todd Boehly’s BlueCo-owned Strasbourg are “seriously considering” a formal approach to Leeds.
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Liam Rosenior just ensured Strasbourg qualify for the Conference League playoffs next season, and they are going to need a new starting goalkeeper as a result, following the end of Djordje Petrovic’s loan, incidentally heading back to Boehly’s Chelsea.
Also in pursuit of Meslier are Lens, the side that finished one place below Strasbourg, with both clubs needing a new starting goalkeeper for the 25/26 campaign.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly could trigger Leeds United, Newcastle United, Burnley transfer domino effect
It’s hardly news that Leeds are looking for a new goalkeeper, but with the transfer window open and clubs across Europe starting to formalise their interest in key targets, it could spark Leeds into action as part of a multi-club domino effect.
While transfers at Elland Road are unlikely to be pushed through until July due to 24/25’s PSR projections being rather tight, the club are already on their way to sourcing a new starting ‘keeper with reports claiming talks have been held with Newcastle United’s Nick Pope.
The 33-year-old represents what many Leeds fans would want from a goalkeeper replacement, a dominant presence in the goalmouth with an accomplished career as a very reliable Premier League shot-stopper.
However, he’s the current Magpies’ number one, and if Leeds do continue to chase Pope’s signature, it might have to spring Newcastle into their own long-standing transfer interest in Burnley’s James Trafford.
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Trafford could have joined Eddie Howe’s side last summer, only for their own PSR headaches to scupper a move, and despite the Clarets now being a top flight club, Trafford could end up heading to St James’ Park after a lengthy saga as a new long-term starter.
In the process of Boehly’s supposed interest in bringing Meslier to Strasbourg, he could end up triggering starting goalkeeper changes for Leeds, Newcastle, and Burnley all in the space of one window.