Leeds United News have the latest exclusive information on Illan Meslier’s Elland Road future following the arrival of Lucas Perri on Saturday evening.
Lucas Perri has signed a four-year contract with Leeds United, although the 49ers’ total spending has now jumped up again and with more deals yet to come.
Perri’s long throws could transform Leeds and the way Daniel Farke utilises his goalkeeper, having arrived from French giants Olympique Lyonnais.
In terms of a transfer fee, Perri was first touted with Leeds at around £13 million. However, Leeds are set to pay Lyon £15.6 million for Perri in total now, per the latest reports.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty ImagesThe latest on Illan Meslier’s future at Leeds United
A few weeks ago, we reported Meslier could stay at Elland Road into next season, but more recent updates suggest he is heading elsewhere.
Already, it has been stated that there is an acceptance Meslier will leave Leeds this summer, with Leeds reportedly offering Meslier to other clubs at one stage and with an exit edging closer.
Ligue 1 outfit RC Strasbourg are one side keen on Meslier this summer and Meslier has been in talks with Fenerbahce previously as well.
However, nothing has materialised yet. The move to bring in Perri could accelerate that, although there is a potential couple of issues for a player with less than a year left on his contract.
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We asked Leeds United News’ transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey for his verdict on Meslier’s situation following the announcement of Perri yesterday.
He said: “It is obvious he will go after they signed Lucas Perri.
“But it depends how much for now, because Leeds won’t be selling at the height of the market for him.”
Patrick Bamford revealed Meslier’s response to being dropped was a positive enough one. However, Leeds won’t want him sticking around as a second-choice.
Meslier may not be minded to be a back-up, either. However, Leeds United News has since learned his wages could also be a stumbling block. The Frenchman was handed one of Victor Orta’s hefty contracts back in August 2021.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesLucas Perri explains his best attributes after signing for Leeds
Speaking via LUTV, Perri explained the strongest areas of his game as a goalkeeper and what he wants people to think of him after signing for the club.
He said: “I don’t like to speak much about tactical and technical things, but the thing I want the most, as a goalkeeper for the people to see in me, is for me to transmit a feeling of trust, security, that calmness.
“That the players, fans, staff, everybody looks at me in the goal and feels safety and feels calm. I think it’s the most important [thing] for the goalkeeper to transmit this sensation.
“For me, this is really important. After this, the thing I love the most is making saves, to create fast counter-attacks, and that’s it.”
Feeling secure with a reliable and consistent player behind them was something lost with Meslier, and is hopefully something Leeds’ backline will benefit from via Perri.