LEEDS are after a new No1 and will move out Illan Meslier — whether they go up or not.
The Whites have decided they need a keeper and started to look at options.
PALeeds United are looking to part ways with goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer[/caption]
RexNewcastle’s Nick Pope is admired by promotion-chasing Leeds[/caption]
RexJames Trafford has been linked with Newcastle and Leeds[/caption]
Meslier was dropped for No 2 Karl Darlow for Saturday’s trip to Luton, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.
The once Championship leaders went 1-0 down inside 15 minutes after Isaiah Jones‘ back-post volley from five yards.
Dan James curled in a stunning equaliser less than 14 mintues later, but Darlow would’ve had to pull off the save of the season to keep it out.
Darlow, who joined Leeds from Newcastle in the summer of 2023, had not made a league appearance since 29 December that year.
The disappointing draw saw Burnley – who beat Coventry 2-1 – leapfrog Leeds and Sheffield United to the top of the table.
Newcastle’s Nick Pope and Burnley’s James Trafford are on a shortlist to replace Meslier at Elland Road.
But their chances of signing will depend where clubs and players are in the summer.
Manchester United keeper scout Tony Coton is a fan of the 25-year-old and may push his case.
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Meslier – who is contracted until June 2026 – has made high-profile errors this season but is not short of admirers.
The Frenchman‘s error gifted Swansea their first equaliser in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
It was the latest in a series of costly mistakes and led to calls from fans and pundits for Farke to make a change.
He also dropped an almighty clanger as Leeds blew two points at the death against Sunderland in October.
Manager Daniel Farke revealed he had made the decision to drop Meslier to protect the shot-stopper from further scrutiny.
He said:“I work with human beings. For Karl, he is buzzing. For Illan, it’s always a bit difficult to take.
“I think, in general, with a goalkeeper, it’s important you don’t change game to game, even after a few mistakes.“
Sam Allardyce also recently revealed that he dropped Meslier “straight away” as persisting with him was “harmful”.
The veteran boss was given the job for the club’s final four Premier League games of the 2022/23 season in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation.
Big Sam failed to keep the club up, picking up just one point during his brief stint in charge.
But his first action after being appointed was to drop under-fire Meslier for back-up stopper Joel Robles for the end of season run-in.
Meanwhile, Grady Diangana is putting a move to MLS on hold in the hope Leeds and Wolves firm up interest in him.
The West Brom winger, 26, will be a free agent in the summer and two American sides are after him already.
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