Sources: Leeds big-money signing stalls after Bielsa green light

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Published on:

02 Apr 2020, 12:30 pm

Leeds United plans to push through the £5million signing of Illan Meslier early have stalled amid the financial uncertainty that has gripped football, Football Insider understands.

The Yorkshire giants were hoping to trigger the option in Mesilier's loan contract long before the summer window opens.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that transfer plans are up in the air due to the growing financial issues caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

United's players have taken pay cuts and had their wages deferred to help the club deal with the huge drop in revenues with no matches being played.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month how Leeds have held talks with Meslier's parent club Lorient about converting his season-long loan into a full-time transfer.

United have to the trigger option in the the keeper's loan contract expires at a specified date, believed to be in mid-May.

Marcelo Bielsa has given the green light to the deal, while Meslier himself is eager to remain at Elland Road in the long-term as he believes his game has developed considerably under the Argentine and his coaching staff.

Leeds' plan is to sign Meslier irrespective of promotion to the top flight.

The outcome of the campaign hangs in the balance amid growing doubt over whether the season can be completed.

With the UK in lockdown for another two weeks, and probably longer, meetings between ruling bodies are taking place this week over various options.

Leeds chiefs have already made clear their preference for this campaign to be finished before the next one begins.

United top the Championship table with nine matches remaining and are hot favourites to secure one of the two automatic promotion places.

In other Leeds United news, a potential £170million move is becoming closer to reality after new developments.

Leeds United