Leeds United’s Premier League return has been bright on the pitch — but behind the scenes, the Whites faced major struggles offloading unwanted players.
One name at the centre of the transfer frustration was Illan Meslier, the former number one goalkeeper who has slipped down to third choice under Daniel Farke. Once tipped as one of the brightest young keepers in England, Meslier was expected to attract suitors this summer, but no deal materialised.
According to Inside Elland Road journalist Graham Smyth, Meslier’s wages, inconsistent form and fall from grace were viewed as a “big red flag” by clubs assessing a move.
Why Meslier Was Hard to Sell
“You look at Meslier, you think, is a club going to give him the wage that he’s on at Leeds? Given what’s happened over the last two, three seasons, given what happened last season? He’s no longer number one at a Championship club, nevermind a Premier League club. That’s a big red flag for a buying club.” — Graham Smyth, Inside Elland Road
Despite rumours of Paris Saint-Germain considering him as a potential back-up, Leeds received no concrete offers for the 24-year-old. His reputation was further dented by costly errors last term, including a high-profile mistake in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland.
Meslier’s Leeds Decline
Farke confirmed last season that Meslier remained “highly rated” despite criticism, but his faith was not rewarded. Karl Darlow overtook him as first choice, and with Lucas Perri arriving from Lyon for £15.6m this summer, Meslier has now fallen to third in the pecking order.
Once a symbol of Leeds’ faith in youth, Meslier is now frozen out, with no place in the Premier League squad this season.
Leeds’ Summer Transfer Business
| Player | Fee |
|---|---|
| Noah Okafor | £18m |
| Anton Stach | £17m |
| Lucas Perri | £15.6m |
| Jake Bijol | £15m |
| Sean Longstaff | £12m |
| Gabriel Gudmundsson | £10m |
| James Justin | £10m |
| Sebastiaan Bornauw | £5.1m |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Free |
| Lukas Nmecha | Free |
source: club records – 6 September 2025
Leeds spent £87.7m while adding proven Premier League and European experience, with Noah Okafor’s £18m signing the headline arrival. Meslier’s failure to generate funds, however, limited Farke’s ability to strengthen further.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
Meslier’s decline has been one of the starkest at Elland Road. From a Premier League starter to third-choice and unsellable in two years — his high wages and mistakes scared off potential buyers.
Farke won’t lose sleep thanks to Lucas Perri’s arrival and Karl Darlow’s reliability, but Leeds’ inability to cash in is a reminder of how quickly reputations can collapse. Meslier may need a fresh start abroad in January to resurrect his career.
Key Insights
- Leeds struggled to sell Illan Meslier this summer.
- Journalist says wages and form were a “big red flag” for buyers.
- Meslier now third choice behind Darlow and Perri.
- PSG links never materialised into bids.
- Failure to sell limited Leeds’ transfer budget.
What’s Next
Meslier looks set to remain sidelined at Elland Road until at least January, barring an emergency recall. With no squad place in the Premier League, his best chance of playing regular football lies in a loan move abroad when the winter market opens.
For Leeds, early results — including a 1-0 win vs Everton and a battling 0-0 draw with Newcastle — suggest Farke has built a squad capable of staying up without him. The club’s focus now is on survival, while Meslier’s career future hangs in the balance.
Can Illan Meslier rebuild his career away from Leeds — or is his reputation too damaged for a top-level return?
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