Leeds United have given the green light for one of last season’s regulars to leave Elland Road this summer.
The Whites have been extremely busy in moving players on so far this summer with 12 having already headed for the exit door either on loan or permanently, with plenty more to follow.
Archie Gray’s £40 million move to Tottenham Hotspur is undoubtedly the most high profile so far, but work has also been done quickly to shift the likes of Charlie Cresswell, Sam Greenwood and Darko Gyabi.
Exits for both Gray and Cresswell have significantly eased any PSR concerns, with both representing pure profit on the accounts having come through the academy.
As such, Leeds now see themselves in a much stronger position when it comes to keeping their other stars, but will listen to offers if they make it clear they want to leave.
Graeme Bailey shares Leeds stance on Illan Meslier future
Leeds have not had a shortage of interest in some of their other key players with Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Glen Kamara and Illan Meslier also wanted elsewhere.
Prior to Gray’s sale, Leeds had actually been more open to allowing one of Summerville, Gnonto or Meslier to go instead, but did not receive sufficient interest before the pivotal date of June 30.
Keeping one or both of Summerville and Gnonto could now be the best piece of business Leeds do all summer, but speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, Graeme Bailey says the club’s stance on Meslier hasn’t changed.
Bailey says Meslier is ‘available’ for transfer and Leeds will not stand in his way, though the financials of a deal could make it tough for interested clubs like Marseille to get it done.
He said: “I think he is available and from what I understand Leeds would let him go and won’t stand in his way, because as we said before, Meslier isn’t in the EUROs squad.
“But if he goes to Marseille there is a good chance he gets into the France squad for the World Cup. I think there’s a decent chance [he goes] but he is on good money at Leeds.
“But are Marseille going to pay huge money? Possibly not, but there is interest there from all sides. Financially it is a tough one to do.”
Leeds could land a Meslier upgrade for cheap
Meslier cost Leeds just £5 million to bring in from Lorient in the summer of 2020 and despite his struggles over the last couple of seasons, could easily turn a profit.
At just 24, Meslier still has plenty of room for development and has amassed way more appearances at the top level than most goalkeepers at his age. It shouldn’t be difficult to turn a profit on the man Farke called ‘world class’.
In terms of replacing him, Leeds have been linked with a move for free agent Marek Rodak after his release from Fulham, who would be an upgrade.
Two of the Championship’s best shotstoppers last term in Michael Cooper and Carl Rushworth could also be available for either a permanent or loan switch, both of whom are better than Meslier.