Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Tue 26 May 2026 21:15, UK

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Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has emerged as the top target to replace Odysseas Vlachodimos at Sevilla.

According to VamosMiSevillaFC on 26 May, Besiktas are closing in on a move for the Greece international, who signed for the LaLiga club on loan from Newcastle United last summer.

The news outlet reports that the French shot-stopper represents a “golden opportunity” for the Spanish side as he will soon be available on a free transfer.

It has been claimed that Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos and American fund Five Eleven Capital, who have an agreement in principle to buy Sevilla, could immediately activate a £69million capital increase once the paperwork is done to secure the 26-year-old goalkeeper’s signing.

Daniel Farke lost faith in Meslier last season and it isn’t surprising to see his time at Elland Road finally coming to an end after an undoubted nightmare.

Leeds United miss opportunity with Illan Meslier

Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed in February that Meslier could have joined Besiktas before the end of the winter transfer window in Turkiye, but a deal didn’t materialise.

After Karl Darlow pipped the Frenchman in the pecking order towards the end of the 2025-26 campaign, it was clear that he had no future at Elland Road.

With Lucas Perri’s arrival in LS11 last summer, there was arguably no need to hold on to Meslier, but the Whites missed out on possibly getting a minimal fee and his wages off their books a year earlier.

The former Lorient star’s exit has been a long time coming at the West Yorkshire outfit and it will be interesting to see whether Sevilla can fend off competition from clubs in Ligue 1 and the Championship for his signing.

Paraag Marathe can’t get transfer wrong again at Elland Road

Football Insider has covered Leeds’ interest in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, with the number of Premier League teams expected to make a move for the 23-year-old Englishman.

The Whites signed Perri with a view to making him the number one, but the Brazilian shot-stopper has failed to live up to expectations at Elland Road.

Darlow’s contract expires at the end of the season, and even if the West Yorkshire outfit agree a new deal with the 35-year-old Welshman, they should be looking for safe hands in between the sticks nonetheless.

The Peacocks arguably can’t let further investment in a new goalkeeper go to waste and Trafford feels like the perfect option for Paraag Marathe to make a financial commitment towards.