The transfer window for Premier League clubs closed on Monday but Leeds United are still seeing interest in some of their players
Mark Wakefield
18:10, 03 Feb 2026
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke
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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke could see goalkeeper Illan Meslier depart the club(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Two Leeds United players have reportedly been the subject of interest from Besiktas even after the January transfer window has drawn to a close. The deadline for Premier League and English clubs was 7pm on Monday, but this is not the case in other countries and leagues across the world.
In Turkey, the winter transfer window remains open until Friday (February 6), giving teams such as Besiktas the chance to add players to their squad if they wish.
As a result, it has been reported by the Daily Mail that Illan Meslier is now a target for Besiktas as the Super Lig outfit looks to add a new goalkeeper to their squad.
A separate report from journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu has also claimed that Besiktas have enquired about the possibility of signing Meslier before the transfer window closes later this week.
READ MORE: Four Leeds United players set to leave for nothing this summer transfer window as things standREAD MORE: Leeds United watch Premier League rivals make £137m transfer moves amid relegation worry
Meslier has not made a single appearance for Leeds this season across any competition, and has been restricted to just five inclusions in the matchday squad for Daniel Farke’s side in the Premier League.
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The signing of Lucas Perri has seen Meslier fall down the pecking order at Elland Road in the goalkeeping department, while Karl Darlow has stepped in for the last three Premier League matches while the former Lyon star has been left on the bench.
The report from the Daily Mail went on to claim that Besiktas had expressed an interest in signing Perri, but saw their approach rejected by Leeds earlier in the transfer window.
As a result, it’s now Meslier who faces an uncertain future at Leeds and it remains to be seen if the goalkeeper will remain at Elland Road for the rest of the season or if a move to Turkey can be agreed in the next few days.
Meslier’s contract at Leeds expires at the end of the campaign, and Farke explained earlier in the season why - despite a lack of appearances, the goalkeeper is still an important member of his squad.
Illan Meslier
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Illan Meslier has been linked with a move away from Leeds(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
“All the players in the squad are part of my plans,” Farke said back in December. “The intention of myself is to each and every player, even if a player is at the moment not that much involved, just on the bench or not in the squad, like Illan [Meslier].
“I’ve made my feelings clear about him, I rate him so much. A goalkeeper full of potential, unbelievably young for a goalkeeper.
“At this young age to have had so many Championship and Premier League games is remarkable. It's also a joy to work with him every day.
“At the moment we need all our goalkeepers, we’ve had injury and illness so for that, it's not the plan to do anything.
“Of course, it can change in January if someone wants to leave but from my side there is no proactive wish to change anything in our goalkeeping squad. I’m happy to have them all and that we have really good options.”
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