Gus Poyet, a former manager of Sunderland and Brighton and Hove Albion, predicts that Ilian Meslier, the custodian for Leeds United, will stay at Elland Road.
In recent months, Meslier has been the subject of various reports tying him to transfers overseas. A long-term injury to Thibaut Courtois reportedly made the Frenchman a target for Real Madrid, according to the Spanish website Sport.
Football Insider later claimed that the Lilywhites were open to selling the 23-year-old and would continue to put him in the shop window throughout August until an adequate offer came in that could be accepted. However, Meslier stayed put with the Yorkshire club past deadline day.
Nevertheless, the rumours didn’t stop there. Football Insider further revealed that Leeds remain open to selling the former Lorient keeper and could look to offload him once the January transfer window opens.
Leeds United are said to be holding out for between £20-25 million for Meslier which may deter teams from making a move to acquire his services but Gus Poyet, formerly an assistant coach at Elland Road under Dennis Wise, believes Meslier will stay with the club.
Speaking in a recent interview with Football League World, the current Greece national team boss said [quotes via the Yorkshire Evening Post]:
“I think that Leeds made a very strong decision in giving Illan Meslier the opportunity to be the number one at Leeds and it is always difficult for goalkeepers to move.
He continued, “I would prefer that he make the decision about his future on his own since occasionally you find yourself in a difficult financial circumstance, but the custodian is a special position.
“You see a lot of goalkeepers who are qualified to play but aren’t given the chance because they are ranked second, and sometimes you move believing you’ll be the number one, then things don’t work out. I don’t think he will leave Leeds, so I can’t see him doing so.
Author’s Opinion
It’s challenging to concur with Poyet on this. If a sizable offer is made for Meslier, he won’t stay at Elland Road because Leeds United will probably accept it.
Meslier’s desire to remain at Leeds is currently in question, but he will have to wait until at least January before looking for employment elsewhere.
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