Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has emerged as a top target for Marseille, with the Ligue 1 outfit keen to sign the 24-year-old as a replacement for Pau Lopez. According to L’Equipe, Meslier has already held initial private talks with Marseille and is enthusiastic about the possibility of joining the Stade Velodrome outfit this summer.
Meslier’s impressive performances for Leeds United have caught the attention of several clubs, including Marseille, who are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options ahead of the new season. The Frenchman has been instrumental in Leeds’ success, keeping 51 clean sheets in 175 appearances and conceding just 256 goals.
However, Meslier’s potential move to Marseille may not be straightforward, with Leeds United boss Daniel Farke keen to keep the goalkeeper at Elland Road. Meslier signed a new five-year contract with Leeds in 2021, keeping him at the club until 2026, and has a “fairly high release clause” that could complicate any potential transfer.
Marseille president Pablo Longoria has identified Meslier as one of four possible targets to start between the posts next season, along with Lens’ Brice Samba, Villarreal’s Filip Jorgensen, and Las Palmas’ Alvaro Valles. The Ligue 1 giants are keen to sign a new goalkeeper after a disappointing season that saw them finish eighth in the league.
Meslier’s potential departure from Leeds could have significant implications for the club, with the goalkeeper playing a crucial role in their promotion push last season. Leeds narrowly missed out on securing promotion to the Premier League, but Meslier’s performances were a highlight of the campaign.
The Frenchman’s stats are impressive, with 49 appearances, 21 clean sheets, and 44 goals conceded in the 2023/24 season. His contract at Leeds runs until 2026, but Marseille are believed to be willing to negotiate a fee with the Championship outfit.
Meanwhile, Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville has emerged as a target for Paris Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 champions keen to sign the 22-year-old. Summerville impressed last season, contributing to 31 goals in 49 appearances and being named Championship Player of the Season.
However, Summerville is “perfectly content” at Leeds and is not pushing for a move, unlike teammate Wilfried Gnonto, who handed in a transfer request last summer. Leeds are expected to bring in a new forward if Summerville departs Elland Road before the transfer window shuts.
In other news, Manchester United are in talks with PSG over a deal for midfielder Ugarte, while Fulham are at risk of losing three key players, including Bernd Leno, Antonee Robinson, and Andreas Pereira. Additionally, Darwin Nunez and Rodrigo Bentancur face potential bans following a brawl in the Uruguay v Colombia match.
Overall, the transfer window is heating up, with several clubs making moves to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. Leeds United will be keen to keep Meslier and Summerville at the club, but Marseille and PSG are formidable opponents in the transfer market.