A few Leeds United fans have been urging Director of Football Victor Orta to buy FC Lorient goalkeeper Illan Meslier following reports the Whites only have until the middle of May to use our optional purchase clause.
Meslier moved to Elland Road on a one-year deal last summer and spent much of the campaign on the bench as Kiko Casilla stormed to 15 clean sheets in 35 Championship games.
But Casilla’s eight-match suspension for racially abusing Jonathan Leko opened the door for Meslier to dazzle, and the French youngster did just that with back-to-back clean sheets against Hull City and Huddersfield Town.
The Tigers clash was Meslier’s first taste of English league action having previously only been awarded one appearance, coming in our FA Cup Third Round trip to Premier League Arsenal where the 20-year-old impressed with his tidy hands and footwork.
United have long been alleged to hold a £5million optional clause to purchase Meslier this summer, and that the option is not dependent on securing promotion. But Football Insider have now claimed that we must activate it by mid-May, otherwise the club risk missing out on the young shot-stopper.
If Orta does not formally activate the clause before the middle of May, United will have to renegotiate a fee with Lorient, while the French side can also hold talks with other potential interested sides.
It is unlikely that Meslier will be anywhere but Elland Road next season, though, as all parties – including the French youth international – are said to be working on a deal that will see him join in a permanent transfer.
That would be sure to appease these fans, who urged Orta to activate our clause in response to Football Insider’s report…
#LUFC have to activate the £5M exclusive option to sign Illan Meslier permanently from Lorient by a specific date, believed to be in the middle of May or they’ll be forced to renegotiate the deal and lose the option. [Football Insider]
100% worth it. pic.twitter.com/yTSPeb8YrU
— LUFCMOT (@LUFCMOTcom) March 23, 2020
Pay the money, asap. 👍👍👍
— Martin (@martin1715) March 23, 2020
No brainer. https://t.co/leJhW7wgjl
— Phil Mooney (@Whiteyorkist) March 23, 2020
He has the potential to be as good as Courtois for me he’s an absolute snip at £5m
— Matty Harrison (@harrisonmatty1) March 23, 2020
I understand what you’re saying but for his age it’s clear to see he has massive potential. Definitely won’t lose money on him either way, could be worth 10 times that in a few years.
— Dan Dewsnap (@dansnaplufc) March 23, 2020
do it #lufc https://t.co/RAJSo43voa
— Paul (@harrythemukster) March 23, 2020
In other Leeds United news, reports have detailed the club’s plans for a £15m transfer.