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3 things Leeds United need to weigh up as high-profile interest emerges in 22-year-old

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Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has now become subject to transfer interest from both Manchester United and Tottenham.

The Whites cannot afford to lose any more senior players, having already parted with Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha earlier in the summer.

Although, it hasn’t stopped significant transfer interest from emerging in certain talented players in Jesse Marsch’s first team, including goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

The Athletic have shared that Manchester United are eyeing the Frenchman as David De Gea’s long-term successor at Old Trafford while Phil Hay recently revealed that Tottenham also admire Meslier.

Here, we look at three things the club need to weigh up as Meslier attracts attention from the elite…

Current value vs future value

At the moment, Meslier is already one of the most valuable young goalkeepers in the world, arguably second only behind Gigi Donnarumma at PSG.

So, if Leeds were considering a sale – which they aren’t according to Fabrizio Romano’s latest update – then they would be able to command a colossal fee already.

At 22, Meslier is still in the infancy of his goalkeeping career and is expected to go onto huge things in the game, so his value is only going to go one way.

Leeds might consider themselves a selling club for now, but those sales have to come at the right time, meaning when they can get the most out of Meslier’s value.

That certainly wouldn’t be this summer or any time soon.

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May 2022, Elland Road?

Replacing him

Meslier’s influence went under the radar last season thanks to the brilliance at the other end of the pitch by Barcelona’s new signing, but without the Frenchman, we wouldn’t be in the Premier League right now.

Losing a player of that importance is a massive blow to have to contend with.

It’s not a concern that we have to stress ourselves over right this second, but the club will have to start planning for life without Meslier in the long-term.

Whether Kristoffer Klaesson’s arrival was with that in mind remains to be seen, but the club are now looking to establish themselves in the top flight, and a signing of that calibre would be needed.

They’ll have the money to do it.

What is best for him

When it comes to letting him leave, we have to ensure that he’s going to a club that is best for him to continue developing.

It was the case with Phillips, who only wanted to join Manchester City, and for good reasons too.

Out of these two clubs (Spurs and Man United), there’s only one that Leeds fans would tolerate a sale to, and it’s the North London outfit.

Even from a footballing perspective, there is virtually no reason that Meslier would benefit more from a move to Old Trafford than Spurs – other than financial incentive.

It might end up being a case for us of accepting the biggest offer on the table, but player preference will come into play. You’d hope that Meslier has sense and has no intention of going to the wrong side of the Pennines.

Would Meslier be a good signing for Tottenham?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.

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  • Malcolm says:

    Small squad already, we bought to increase, not great quality, but we have sold or loaned out more, all our targets have gone quiet and now other clubs have got the jump on us, even Diaz is mentioned about going to Everton, we are selling our best and replacing with untested in the premier, need quality to replace Raphina and Phillips a Lb and Cf at least still needed, running out of time!

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