Leeds United are gradually accepting that they need an upgrade on Illan Meslier next summer. A lot will still depend on getting promoted to the Premier League, but it seems certain the Frenchman won’t be the first-choice goalkeeper at Elland Road next season.
Daniel Farke has been a fervent supporter of the French goalkeeper, but the Leeds United boss is under pressure to drop him from the starting eleven against Luton on Saturday.
Meslier’s errors have caused Leeds to lose precious points, and it has been insisted that if the Whites had a better goalkeeper, they would have sewn up promotion by now.
Leeds have plans to replace him if they are in the Premier League next season, and the club have added one more name to their shortlist of targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Leeds United have a Chelsea goalkeeper on their radar
Djordje Petrovic made 31 appearances for Chelsea last season before he joined Strasbourg on loan to gain more first-team experience in France.
According to TEAMTalk, Leeds United have their eyes on him and are considering snapping up the 25-year-old goalkeeper from Chelsea in the summer.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher is their top target, but Leeds are keeping their options open and are considering several other alternatives, including Petrovic.
The Serbian is not guaranteed to leave Chelsea as the club are not engaging in any talks with his potential suitors ahead of the summer window.
He is in a four-way battle to become number one at Stamford Bridge, along with Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and the incoming Mike Penders.
A decision on whether to sell Petrovic will only be made after pre-season, and Chelsea see value in all four goalkeepers.
Meslier is almost certainly in the last leg of his Elland Road career
The Frenchman will have a year left on his contract with Leeds in the summer, and is said to be keen to stay if the Whites are in the Premier League next season.
However, Leeds fans have run out of patience, and it seems even the club are aware that they need a new number one between the sticks at Elland Road.
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Meslier has been the Leeds number one for over five years, but the errors are still part of his game, and he doesn’t have the excuse of being inexperienced.
Leeds do need promotion to attract players of Petrovic or Kelleher’s calibre, but it seems almost certain, Meslier won’t be in goal for Leeds next season, regardless of which division they are in.
