Pete O’Rourke column: Four more Leeds United stars could quit, Man City target Olise set for £100,000-a-week+ deal, Fulham leapfrog Nottingham Forest in race

Sun 30 July 2023 13:00, UK

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LEEDS UNITED

My understanding is that Leeds are ready to let Illan Meslier leave the club this summer.

I’m told they are open to offers for the goalkeeper and will accept bids of around £20-25million – significantly less than their previous £40million valuation.

The player is keen on an exit – he doesn’t want to play Championship football.

However, there have been no offers as of yet – meaning there is a possibility he will start the new season in goal for Leeds.

Most Premier League clubs have addressed their goalkeeping issues, so Meslier may have to entertain a move to Spain, Italy or his native France.

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I’m told they are keen to sell the Frenchman to raise funds for transfer business of their own.

Centre-back is an area they are desperate to address with Max Wober set to join Robin Koch and Diego Llorente in leaving on loan.

They are also keen on midfield reinforcements with the future of Tyler Adams still up in the air with a month remaining in the summer window.

Striker is also a priority for Daniel Farke’s side following the departure of Rodrigo to Al-Rayyan.

I’m told Joel Piroe is on the radar at Elland Road, with fellow relegated sides Southampton and Leicester also monitoring his situation.

But sources say Swansea are in no rush to sell and would demand a fee of around £15-20million to part with their star man.

The Welsh side are braced for offers between now and the deadline.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Michael Olise is the subject of interest from Man City and Chelsea, but I’m told Palace are relaxed about any potential bids arriving this summer.

My understanding is they are talking to the winger’s representatives about a new contract at Selhurst Park.

Olise is content at Palace and values regular first-team action highly at this stage of his development – while an injury set to keep him out until mid-September could put potential suitors off.

Any new deal would land the 21-year-old a six-figure wage – and would bring him in line with the club’s top earners.

Palace hope that offer will be enough to persuade him to stay around for at least one more season.

Roy Hodgson’s side are ready to swoop for both a winger and a striker in the final month of the window after Wilfried Zaha’s departure.

Hodgson is currently dissatisfied with his attacking options and the club are searching Europe for the right solutions.

Leeds United duo Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto are domestic options currently being considered by Palace.

Meanwhile, Chelsea‘s interest in Marc Guehi is gathering pace after Wesley Fofana’s horror knee injury.

He is a key part of the Palace side and the club are desperate to keep hold of him into the new season.

I’m told it will take a fee well in excess of £60million to land Guehi – but the player himself is not convinced about returning to Chelsea with game time ahead of next year’s European Championships very much in his mind.

A player who is more likely to depart Palace this summer is Vicente Guaita, I’m told.

Sam Johnstone is set to be Hodgson’s first choice yet again this season and the Spaniard has no intention of playing second fiddle.

My understanding is that he is interested in leaving Selhurst Park as he has options in Spain.

Palace would move for another backup in the final month of the window as opposed to promoting Joe Whitworth to a more senior role.

FULHAM

The Cottagers are in the box seat to land Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, I’m told.

Chelsea are keen to move the 22-year-old on and the player himself is ready to rebuild his career away from Stamford Bridge.

He is on a lucrative deal with the Blues for one more year, but Fulham are nonetheless confident of agreeing a deal.

Lazio are also interested with ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri keen to reunite with Hudson-Odoi – but the player wants to stay in England after an underwhelming loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen last season.

Nottingham Forest are also ready to enter the race, but Fulham’s London location is likely to give them a big edge in any battle.

BRENTFORD

David Raya and the Bees are stuck in a difficult position as he continues to push for a move away from the club.

Premier League interest from the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham has cooled – with Brentford’s price tag putting off potential suitors.

Bayern Munich have been linked but I’m told he is not likely to be at the top of their shortlist with Raya’s £40million price tag proving problematic.

The Spaniard has less than 12 months remaining on his contract and could walk away for free next summer.