Leeds United selling Illan Meslier would be ‘very silly’, former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson says.
The lowdown
The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported last week that Leeds are ‘braced for bids’ for Meslier during the summer transfer window.
As for interested parties, The Daily Star believe Manchester United are intense admirers of the Frenchman, while Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona could even make a move.
Leeds signed Meslier from FC Lorient for £5.85million in the summer of 2020 following a successful loan move.
He’s made 81 appearances for the club in total, conceding 128 goals and keeping 23 clean sheets.
The latest
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said he couldn’t ‘see the sense’ in sanctioning the move, which he believes would force Leeds into the market for a ‘top’ replacement.
“They’d have to find a top, number one goalkeeper so to sell Meslier for whatever they sell him for, they’d have to pay that to replace him,” he said.
“It would seem to be a very silly situation to let him go.
“In all honesty, I can’t see the sense in letting him go.”
The verdict
If Leeds were to sell Meslier, then they could be in for a considerable profit. Transfermarkt value him at £18million, more than three times what they paid in 2018.
He has struggled this season from a shot-stopping perspective, conceding 8.3 goals more than would be ‘expected’ (based on post-shot xG). That’s the worst record in the division by a considerable margin.
But he starred for the Whites in their first season back in the Premier League, winning their Young Player of the Year award, and so they know how good he can be when on form and full of confidence.
Indeed, fellow PL ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale has named him as his toughest opponent, while Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has dubbed him ‘excellent’.
In other news, Adam Pope has shared details on Leeds transfer discussions.
