Leeds United’s agreement to sign Illan Meslier on loan from FC Lorient includes an option-to-buy, the Ligue 2 side have confirmed.
The Whites’ announcement of Meslier’s arrival in West Yorkshire suggested the 19-year-old would spend the season at Elland Road, but did not mention any potential arrangement that would see the France Under 20 international become a United player on a full-time basis.
Lorient have not disclosed the value of the option-to-buy, or if the terms specify if promotion into the Premier League is a factor that would be needed for it to become active, like the agreement thought to have been reached with Swansea for Dan James in January.
Our loan agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers for Helder Costa is known to have a purchase clause that is irrespective of promotion, with United obliged to pay the Molineux natives a figure in the region of £13million next summer.
Lorient confirming our option-to-buy Meslier has caught some supporters by surprise, as well as respected Whites journalist Phil Hay, who was not expecting there to be a purchase clause for the goalkeeper linked with a €10million (£9.2m) move to AS Monaco a year ago.
United fans were quick to respond to his disclosure, and shared hope that he may have been wrong about other potential deals occurring on Deadline Day, like the suggestion that Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah’s anticipated arrival would be the last piece of business at Elland Road.
Here’s what these United fans said in reply The Athletic’s Leeds writer…
I guess a lot will change by this time next season so I would guess it depends on what happens. No Bielsa, No Radz. Who knows
— Parma (@Parma__D) August 8, 2019
Qsi will fund if he’s any good
— corbywhite (@gandalflufc) August 8, 2019
Very good deal, time to do some work on him ready for the PL ????
— Adam Ross (@rossi_on) August 8, 2019
Monaco linked to €10mill for him last yr so you think price will be close to this Phil?
— bielsa’s lucky blue bucket ???????????????? (@delwright21) August 8, 2019
Radz at it again. Loan him for a year and get to sell him back to Lorient after. Genius pic.twitter.com/HMvxkGSYhY
— LeedsShirts.co.uk (@leedsshirts) August 8, 2019
Reeks of a Qatar sports takeover next summer
— Tom Dugdale (@doug_t_fresh) August 8, 2019
Their fans really not happy about it either…
— Owen Walton (@OwenWalton9) August 8, 2019
I think it’s an option to buy him dinner as the poor lad hasn’t eaten for a few years judging by the photo.
— Ron (@rontecarlo) August 8, 2019
Surely the deal wouldn’t have made any sense without an option to buy?
— Alex (@alexlicense) August 8, 2019
>
Took your foot off the gas now you’re not a YEP Phil
— Mr Glassalfempty (@TheMilkSteakKid) August 8, 2019
Hopefully it means you were wrong about Kent too ????
— Deano (@DeanoBF) August 8, 2019
What so you where wrong!?!? Never! Hope your wrong about the lad from Arsenal being last signing today!
— k9myp (@k9myp) August 8, 2019