Leeds United have received another damaging blow in their attempt to offload goalkeeper Illan Meslier, as a potential suitor turned their attention to another option.
Illan Meslier looks set to leave Elland Road this summer after a string of errors during Leeds’ promotion season saw him fall down the pecking order with the club.
Meslier was stripped of his shirt number during Leeds’ pre-season campaign and was omitted from the squad entirely as the Whites suffered a humiliating League Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. However, Farke’s goalkeeping woes were only increased by a mistake from Karl Darlow.
Having seen a potential move to Como slip from his grasp, Meslier has also been linked with a move to PSG in recent days.
However, one move that now appears less likely is an emotional return to Lorient, as a French journalist suggested that they have moved on to another target.
Illan Meslier playing for Leeds United.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Leeds United suffer Illan Meslier blow
Whilst the Lorient manager has admitted that his side are in the market for a goalkeeper, it appears less likely that they will sign Meslier.
According to French transfer specialist Mohamed Toubache-Ter, Lorient have decided to activate their option to extend Yvon Mvogo’s contract with the club.
31-year-old Mvogo joined Les Merlus in the summer of 2022 and, according to ESPN, played 33 times as they won promotion from Ligue 2 last season.
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Mvogo’s previous contract ended at the end of the 2024/25 season, and he entered the market as a free agent, but now looks set to return to Lorient. Toubache-Ter’s post states: “Lorient have reactivated the Mvogo option, who was the goalkeeping coach’s first-choice, in summary.”
Daniel Farke is running out of time to offload his third-choice goalkeeper
Meslier’s fate at Leeds was sealed with the arrival of Lucas Perri, who has also enjoyed a rocky start to life at the club after being criticised for his role in the defeat against Arsenal.
The Whites have ramped up their efforts to offload their unwanted stars in recent days, with Largie Ramazani set to join Valencia, and reports suggesting that Isaac Schmidt will finally join Werder Bremen.
Having also offloaded Sam Greenwood, finding a new home for Meslier is one of Leeds’ top priorities.
A return to Lorient was always a long shot, with the French side struggling to match Meslier’s wage demands, but their decision to re-sign Mvogo sees another potential destination disappear.