Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe in a circular insert.
Leeds United brought the January transfer window to a close without making a deadline-day addition, with Facundo Buonanotte’s loan move from Brighton standing as their only winter signing.
The club were eager to bolster their attacking options but ultimately declined to enter a bidding war for leading target Jorgen Strand Larsen, who went on to join Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £48m.
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Leeds were also linked with a move for former Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran. However, it has emerged that they were not actively looking to sign anyone on deadline day.
Even so, the Whites could still sanction outgoing deals after the window had shut in much of Europe. But the club have made another baffling decision this week.
Leeds do not want to sell Illan Meslier
Besiktas are in the market for a new goalkeeper, and are pushing to sign a top shot-stopper before the transfer window closes in Turkey on Friday night.
The Turkish giants enquired about two Leeds goalkeepers, Meslier and Lucas Perri, and were hoping to sign one of them in the next 24 hours.
However, according to Turkish outlet Rabona, Leeds have made it clear that they do not want to lose either Meslier or Perri after the transfer window closed in most of Europe.
The decision to hold on to the Brazilian makes sense as he only arrived last summer, and selling him now would be seen as a major embarrassment for the 49ers.
However, the club’s decision to even keep Meslier looks baffling, as he will almost certainly leave in the summer when he will be out of contract.
Leeds could have got a nominal fee from his departure and saved on his significant wages until the end of the season.
Meslier’s situation is bizarre
Illan Meslier is almost certainly the third choice, if not the fourth choice, goalkeeper at Leeds, and Perri and Darlow’s struggles have not changed that.
He will leave on a free transfer in the summer, and Leeds will have zero to gain from wanting to keep him until the end of the season.
Illan Meslier’s performances for Leeds United by competition
Competition Appearances Goals Conceded Clean Sheets
Premier League 107 197 21
Championship 93 71 47
It makes no sense to keep him as he is not playing at all this season, and Farke has said little to suggest that he will return to the squad anytime soon.
Leeds’ decision to keep paying the Frenchman’s wages while he sits on the sidelines and waits for a move away from the club in the summer is baffling.
Unless Farke brings him back into the team in the coming weeks, this seems like a bizarre situation at Elland Road.