Leeds United will make a “Championship fortune” if they sell Illan Meslier but an “interesting” update from Daniel Farke may indicate he stays, says Adam Pope.
The BBC journalist said on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on Monday (7 August) that the “question” for the Whites is whether new signing Karl Darlow is
expected to be a back-up keeper after sitting on the bench in the 2-2 with Cardiff City in the opener where the Frenchman reprised his starting role.
Meslier, 23, had been expected to leave this summer but following the draw at Elland Road Daniel Farke said he didn’t need any signings at goalkeeper, suggesting
there may not be more movement before the deadline.
Pope said of Meslier (13m 55s): “It’s very hard to make a new opinion of him based on what happened [vs Cardiff] because there was just nothing for him to do.
“I suppose the question is Darlow who’s come in since we’ve last done a pod. It’s is he going to sit and be a number two or is Meslier going to go?”
He went on: “He only cost a few million so they’re going to make a Championship fortune on him whatever aren’t they if he goes.
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“What have they got to push Darlow? [Kristoffer] Klaesson? [Dani] van den Heuvel? And it’s interesting that Farke said the one area that they don’t need to
strengthen now is goalkeeper, so is that an indication that both [Meslier and Darlow] are going to be there?”
Remain
It is starting to look like the harrowing experience Meslier had last season behind a defence which gave him little protection might have scared potential suitors off.
He was memorably criticised by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports and then lost his place to Joel Robles under Sam Allardyce as the Whites were relegated with a
league-worst record of 78 goals conceded.
Manchester United and Chelsea had both been linked previously but have signed Andre Onana and Robert Sanchez respectively this summer.
Meslier clearly didn’t turn into a bad keeper in the space of a few months last term but it may be that clubs who would have otherwise had interest want to see how
he responds to the previous campaign before making a move.
The presumption was that the push to bring in Darlow from Newcastle was to slot him straight in as Meslier presumably vacated the role, and there is still scope for
that to happen before the deadline.
It seems likely that the 32-year-old Englishman would have expected to play for the Whites this season rather than just be a back-up, with Leeds seeing off Premier
League interest from Bournemouth to sign him.
But there hasn’t been much of anything in terms of concrete exit developments for the man ahead of him so far this summer, so perhaps there will be a genuine
battle for the gloves this season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites “expect” to lose another key man with Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Brighton all in the hunt.
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