Leeds’ custodian was the subject of much talk and speculation throughout the summer, but the Frenchman has agreed to stay at Elland Road until at least January.
Meslier was expected to leave Leeds throughout the summer, and sources stated that the Whites would sell him. According to Football Insider, the Leeds custodian wants to quit the club. However, the 23-year-old has been significantly involved since those reports and remains in West Yorkshire.
Late in the transfer window, Football Insider revealed that, despite starting all of Leeds’ Championship games this season, the Whites’ hierarchy still intended to unload Meslier before the deadline. The outlet claimed the club was content to go with this strategy and had begun to put him in place him in the shop window.
The signing of Karl Darlow could have paved the way for Meslier’s departure and though it appears that Farke is happy with both of them as his options at present, things can quickly change with the January transfer window a time when he could still possibly move on.
The position between the sticks has been unchanged in the league all season for Farke, who knows who his number-one is. Leeds do not lack goalkeeping options with Karl Darlow but the current number-one is their most talented option, in the form of the 23-year-old.
When fit, he looks likely to retain his place for the majority of the rest of the season. Meslier has not always been at his best but has a strong unit in front of him, which has been a huge improvement on last season and it would be nonsensical without an injury issue forcing Farke into turning to his deputy.
However, having spent about £5 million on Meslier over the summer of 2020, the Whites will be aware that he is a player on whom they can easily turn a profit. Despite Darlow’s addition, it appears that Farke prefers continuity as a goal. The experienced backup struggled in his last game for Leeds, a League Cup penalty shootout loss to Salford.
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