Reports have surfaced claiming that Besiktas are still in a frantic scramble for a new goalkeeper, which could include either of Leeds United’s Lucas Perri and Illan Meslier.
The window has shut for Leeds to make any more incoming transfers, but there are some leagues across the globe that can continue business this week.
Included in that is the Turkish Super Lig, where Besiktas are in a mad dash to secure a late deal in a crucial position. Which is where Leeds supposedly come in.
Besiktas reportedly interested in late Lucas Perri, Illan Meslier offers as Leeds United prepare for Nottingham Forest
The goalkeeper position is a point of contention for United right now. Lucas Perri was coming in for plenty of stick, including from Daniel Farke, and he was axed for Karl Darlow.
However, Darlow hasn’t exactly proven his reliability in the meantime. A potential clanger was fortunately avoided in the win over Fulham, before a horrorshow against Arsenal (granted it’s Arsenal).
In the meantime, Leeds have fielded interest from Besiktas for Perri. It was reported last week that United received and rejected a bid from the Turkish giants for the Brazilian, likely an offer that didn’t benefit Leeds in any way.
On top of that, Leeds outcast Illan Meslier has more recently emerged on Besiktas’ radar. The Frenchman is out of contract at Elland Road this summer and hasn’t featured in a competitive game since March.
New Turkish reports don’t make sense for Leeds United and Lucas Perri
The deadline for Turkish clubs is approaching on Friday 6th February. That means Besiktas are running out of time to get their goalkeeper signed.
As they look set to miss out on other options, reports persist of Perri and Meslier being in the frame to join Besiktas before that deadline:
Beşiktaş kaleci transferini 24 saat içerisinde bitirmek istiyor.
Jorgensen olmuyor. En güçlü adaylar yine İngiltere’den. Lucas Perri ve Illan Meslier.
— Tuğba Hacıbayramoğlu (@tugbahacibayram) February 3, 2026
“Beşiktaş wants to finalize the goalkeeper transfer within 24 hours. Jorgensen is not happening. The strongest candidates are once again from England. Lucas Perri and Illan Meslier.”
Meslier could potentially make sense for Leeds to part ways with. He’s not going to get a minute again in a Leeds shirt, unless we have a bizarre injury crisis. And, he is out of contract in the summer, so even a modest fee right now is better than losing him for nothing.
As for Perri, it makes absolutely no sense for Leeds to part ways outside of the window. Yes, fans are rightly frustrated with his performances this season. However, I think Darlow’s struggles of late emphasise that Perri is probably still our best (least bad) option in goal.
Leeds may well be lamenting forking out £15.6million for Perri, on this season’s evidence. Now isn’t the time to cut ties, though, given there’s every chance Farke is going to have to make another goalkeeper U-turn soon.
Add to that the obvious other reason: Leeds can’t replace him now.
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