Leeds United have done great business to add eight new faces to the first team squad. Their approach to the transfer market was well planned out when it came to new signings. However, departures have been a whole different issue.
With the many names rumoured to leave the club this summer, Leeds have seen just one player sold. Diogo Monteiro joined FC Arouca on an undisclosed fee. Almost every other exit has been a temporary deal. Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew have all been loaned out to other clubs.
Speaking of loan deals, reports from Germany claim that Werder Bremen’s move for Isaac Schmidt could collapse soon.
There are still a host of unwanted players under contract, and the club will have to figure out what to do with them before the window closes.
QUIZ: Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
[freshpress-quiz id=”32536″]
French club interested in signing Leeds United star
Credit: Imago
Illan Meslier is one name many expected to have left Elland Road in the past month. Since losing his place as first choice keeper, he has been constantly linked with moves away.
Sacha Tavolieri is now reporting that Leeds may have been handed a lifeline, as French club Lorient are keen on a move for the goalkeeper.
🟡🇫🇷EXCL– Illan Meslier has an interest of FC Lorient!
📉 Dropped down the keeper pecking order at Leeds United, Frenchman could return to his boyhood club.
🟠🐟Lorient have made contact with #LUFC to inquire about the possible conditions of a transfer.
⏳Wait&See… #mercato… pic.twitter.com/nDkMXfptuJ
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 16, 2025
The club are very interested and have already contacted Leeds to see the details of a possible transfer. PSG and Lille have been credited with interest over the past few days too.
Daniel Farke sees Illan Meslier as third choice
Daniel Farke made the bold call to drop Meslier from the squad completely in the final pre-season friendly against AC Milan. After the game, he revealed that the Frenchman is now third in the pecking order behind Karl Darlow:
”Karl is ahead of [Meslier] in the pecking order at the moment.
”He had a fantastic finish last season and also really good pre-season. So there’s no need for me to change the order.
”Meslier was more or less number 2 behind Karl. Karl doesn’t give me any reason to change the pecking order.”
A chance for Meslier to start a fresh in a familiar environment
A move to Lorient is a chance for Illan Meslier to return to an environment he is familiar with to rediscover himself. This past year has not been great for his development. And if he does choose to stay at Elland Road, he most certainly will not play any minutes until his contract expires next summer.
