LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Detail view of the Leeds United club badge on the corner flag prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on December 16, 2020 in Leeds, England.The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
Illan Meslier should be allowed to leave Leeds United in January, according to Carlton Palmer, since doing so would allow the team to use the proceeds from his sale to bolster other parts of the squad.
According to the former Leeds player, the club will be ready for Meslier to depart in January because they were disappointed there weren’t any potential bidders for the Frenchman during the summer transfer window.
He suggested that, having brought Karl Darlow into the club in the summer, they are well-equipped to see their current number one leave to bring the wage bill further down.
Speaking to Football League World on 19 September, Palmer stated: “Leeds United are reported to be ready to listen to offers for goalkeeper Illan Meslier in January.
“Leeds were surprised that he didn’t move in the summer transfer window, though they were quite relaxed as they had already signed his replacement, Karl Darlow.
“Karl signed from Newcastle in the belief that he would be their No. 1 goalkeeper. Leeds would be looking for a fee of £15-20million for the goalkeeper, where they can invest in other areas where Daniel Farke believes they’d need more.
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“It’s a right call at this junction, as they’d already put measures in place and it further reduces the wage bill in accordance with what they’d like in the Championship.”
Leeds were ready for him to go
When Leeds signed Darlow from Newcastle for around £400,000 in the summer transfer window, the assumption was that they had landed their new number one, beating Premier League side Bournemouth to his signature and allowing Meslier to exit.
However, no interest emerged in the French shot-stopper, perhaps due to the turbulent end to the season he endured which played its part in Leeds’ relegation, and saw him dropped by Sam Allardyce because of the inconsistent levels of his performances.
Now, though, it seems the club will once again attempt to drum up interest in his signature, despite the playing time he has received so far this season, in an attempt to raise money and shrink their heavy wage bill.
Darlow will be hoping that interest does emerge, with his position on the bench a source of frustration as he was originally expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke has a game-changing option waiting in the wings.
