Illan Meslier to Olympique Marseille transfer latest - Leeds United unaware of reputed French giants' approach

Meslier has spent the past five years in England and established himself as No. 1 at Elland Road, enjoying a breakout Premier League campaign as the division's youngest stopper in 2020/21, attracting interest in his services throughout.

Since his emergence, the experienced 'keeper has remained first choice under several Leeds managers, except for Sam Allardyce, who dropped the under-fire Frenchman during United's final Premier League fixtures last season as the Whites bowed out of the top flight.

In summers past, Meslier has been the subject of reported interest from the likes of Chelsea but has stayed put at Elland Road. Following relegation, the club moved to sign Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Newcastle United as Leeds anticipated interest in Meslier's services but the player ultimately remained.

New reports in France suggest Olympique Marseille (OM) are interested in the 6ft 5in custodian with FootMercato reporting new OM boss Roberto De Zerbi is keen to add Meslier as he conducts a squad audit at Stade Velodrome.

Leeds sources were unaware on Thursday evening of any official approach from the French club, suggesting if Marseille were eyeing a move for the 24-year-old, they were yet to make enquiries regarding his availability and likely cost.

Meslier arrived at Leeds as a teenager back in 2019, playing understudy to Kiko Casilla before usurping the Spaniard during the latter's eight-match FA-sanctioned ban for the racist abuse of Charlton Athletic's Jonathan Leko.

Promotion to the Premier League at the end of 2019/20 saw Meslier join from Lorient permanently in a £5 million switch. Given the length of time he has been at the club and the likely fee Leeds would receive in any sale, a Meslier exit would represent pure profit from an accounting perspective.

Meslier's fit at a new-look OM would be interesting, to say the least, given his distribution over the past couple of seasons and De Zerbi's style of play requiring a goalkeeper comfortable on the ball and often under pressure. Whilst working with Marcelo Bielsa and staff, the Frenchman became synonymous with measured, clipped passes out to the flanks but over the last few years, many supporters have begun to comment on the quality of Meslier's kicking.

De Zerbi's Brighton and Hove Albion brought back-up 'keeper Jason Steele in from the cold as the Italian coach perceived Steele's on-ball ability to exceed that of his alternatives.

Last season, whilst still under De Zerbi, Brighton went long with just six per cent of their goal kicks, according to Opta data, while the average length of the Seagulls' goal kicks was a mere 12 yards - both of these figures were the lowest in the division.

Leeds, on the other hand, with Meslier between the posts for the vast majority of the season, went long from goal kicks 27 per cent of the time, while the average length of goal kicks was some 30 yards. The Whites also ranked in the bottom half of the Championship for defensive actions made by goalkeepers outside the penalty area, whereas Brighton's goalkeepers registered the fourth-highest number of defensive interventions outside the box, suggesting De Zerbi's preferred style requires a proactive, front-foot stopper.