Sources: Illan Meslier could complete Leeds United transfer within hours
Illan Meslier could be set to leave Leeds United imminently as Besiktas aim to sign him before their winter transfer window shuts on Friday night.
Meslier has been left out in the cold at Leeds this season following their promotion to the Premier League as winners of the Championship last term.
He was dropped towards the end of last season after a string of poor performances, and has continued to be ousted by Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow in the top flight.
Football Insider revealed in December that AC and Inter Milan were eyeing moves for Meslier, but he has failed to find a new club as yet.
An exit is still possible in the coming days, with Besiktas lining up a deal for Meslier before their Friday transfer deadline, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast.
Besiktas eyeing Meslier move ahead of imminent deadline
Meslier has made the Leeds bench just five times so far this season, with his last appearance in their matchday squad coming on 29 November as they lost 3-2 to Man City.
Besiktas entered talks with Meslier’s agents earlier this week, and he could seal a Super Lig switch within the next few hours.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I think it’s a possibility that something could happen with Meslier and a move to Turkey.
“Besiktas are obviously in the market for a goalkeeper. They did look at his teammate Perri, but Leeds rebuffed those overtures, so they’re obviously still looking for a keeper and Meslier is available.
“He’s effectively third-choice for Leeds right now, and has not featured for Daniel Farke’s side at all this season. Meslier is in a strong position either way.
“He’s obviously in the final six months of his contract, so it depends on if he wants to leave now and get back to playing football, as he hasn’t played all season, or if he wants to run down his contract, leave as a free agent, and then explore his options.
“There is interest from Besiktas in Meslier, so it’s whether a deal can be done before Friday’s transfer deadline in Turkey, and if Meslier wants to move now or maybe wait until the summer and leave as a free agent.“
What has Farke said about Meslier’s Leeds future?
Meslier is still only 25-years-old, but has racked up over 200 appearances and two promotions to the Premier League for the Whites since his debut in January 2020.
It seems as if he has no future at Elland Road, with his contract set to expire this summer, but Farke has backed the Frenchman in the last few months, despite his struggles.
Speaking in December, he said: “All the players in the squad are part of my plans. I’ve made my feelings clear about him, I rate him so much.
“A goalkeeper full of potential, unbelievably young for a goalkeeper. At this young age to have had so many Championship and Premier League games is remarkable. It’s also a joy to work with him every day.”
The Leeds boss may have sung his praises in public, but he has not given Meslier any chances to reclaim his number one spot this season, and it seems best for all parties that he is allowed to move on before the Super Lig window closes on Friday night.