Rangers boss Russell Martin is thought to be weighing up a move for Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, according to reports - and the Frenchman could find his way to Glasgow in a bid to rescue him from his west Yorkshire nightmare, after a poor start to his own managerial career at Ibrox was expedited on Wednesday evening.
The report by journalist Santi Aouna on X (formerly Twitter) states that Meslier could finally leave Leeds in the summer, joining Rangers in their Europa League campaign in another signing from the English leagues from manager Martin, with the Light Blues also in talks to land Everton starlet Youssef Chermiti on loan.
Report: Rangers 'Hold Talks' with Leeds for Illan Meslier
Illan Meslier Leeds
The Frenchman was Leeds' starting goalkeeper for a number of years, and the majority of last season as the Whites secured the Championship title with 100 points to boot. However, some poor performances in the business end of the campaign saw the stopper produce some poor mistakes, being replaced by Karl Darlow in the process - which saw them win the final six games of the campaign to win promotion to the Premier League.
With Leeds having also signed Lucas Perri for the starting role this summer, Meslier is now essentially third-choice after Darlow started in the League Cup against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. However, Martin could offer the goalkeeper a lifeline, especially with Jack Butland under his own run of poor form at Ibrox - compounded by their 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Valencia have also made the French stopper a 'priority', but long-serving goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski must leave the La Liga club first - and that has seen Rangers take the initiative in the search for his arrival.
Meslier joined Leeds in the 2019-20 season as an understudy to Kiko Casilla, when Marcelo Bielsa led them back to the top-flight after a 16-year absence - but he slowly replaced the Spaniard between the sticks in their Premier League return. 35 appearances that season, followed by an ever-present campaign the year after and 34 outings in goal in their relegation campaign in 2022/23.
He made his 200th league showing for Leeds in his most recent outing, making him one of the highest appearance-makers in the club's recent history - but Rangers could look to tempt him with a move away for a fresh start in Scotland. Rangers will feature in the Europa League's league phase next season and that would see him potentially pick up his first appearance in European competition.
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