Leeds United transfers as Daniel Farke confirms Illan Meslier January exit stance
The one-time first-choice Leeds United goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of this season.
Daniel Farke has no plans to lose out-of-favour Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier in January - but his stance could change if any player made clear a desire to leave.
The Frenchman has not played a single minute of competitive football for Leeds this campaign, having been dropped for the final seven games of last season’s Championship promotion run-in following a string of errors. Karl Darlow replaced him and is now second-choice to Lucas Perri, with one-time first-choice Meslier now third in the pecking order.
Meslier was widely expected to leave Leeds in the summer but for whatever reason, decided to stay on despite knowing he will miss out on matchday squads more often than not. So far, any involvement on the bench has only come when one of Perri or Darlow are unavailable.
The 25-year-old’s contract expires at the end of this season, with January the final opportunity for Leeds to get any cash for their out-of-favour goalkeeper before a potential free transfer in the summer. But Farke made his stance on a mid-season exit clear, admitting he would only sanction a sale if Meslier - or anyone else - came to him with a desire to leave.
“All the players in the squad are part of my plans,” Farke said when asked about the goalkeeper. “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.
“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.”
Leeds are looking to strengthen Farke’s squad in the January market but any permanent addition would either require them to sell before June 30 or pull another financial lever. Managing director Robbie Evans said in September they were right at the limit of their maximum three-year permitted losses, as per Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
The YEP understands Elland Road chiefs will instead look to explore the loan market for short-term additions. A creative right-winger/No.10 type is likely to remain a priority while Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s growing influence makes cover for him more important by the week.