Leeds United might need to stave off January curiosity for one in every of their key belongings this summer season, however they appear to have a succesful substitute lined up both approach…
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That’s in keeping with French publication Media Foot, who counsel that Bayern Munich are exhibiting actual curiosity in Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
With Manuel Neuer dominated out for the season following a skiing injury, the Bavarian giants are in search of his long-term substitute and will flip to the Frenchman.
What provides credence to those rumours is the reports linking Leeds with a transfer for Croatian World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic.
While dropping their talismanic shot-stopper may upset the Elland Street devoted, maybe it may facilitate a switch domino impact which might profit the Yorkshire membership.
Ditch Meslier
Having signed completely in 2020, Meslier has established himself as one in every of Leeds’ most essential gamers given their philosophy.
The 22-year-old is commonly known as upon greater than most Premier League ‘keepers, and but he reveals an alertness, velocity and maturity which belies his youth.
In the course of the Whites’ relegation-threatened 2021/22 marketing campaign, he made essentially the most saves (143) of any goalkeeper within the Premier League by a long way. He additionally ranks joint-sixth within the division this season for sweeper clearances made, outlining his significance to Jesse Marsch’s taking part in fashion.
Journalist Joe Donnohue even recommended that Meslier boasted a “rock solid” mentality, noting: “What’s at all times struck me about Illan Meslier is a capability to place wobbles & missteps behind him instantly. A extremely underrated attribute…”.
Would you be pleased with this swap?
Sure
No
Nonetheless, in Livakovic, Leeds can be gaining a goalkeeper boasting much more expertise who clearly has the flexibility to bail out his crew when wanted. This was no higher exemplified than in Qatar, the place he introduced himself as one of many match’s excellent gamers.
Boasting a 7.33 common score, he earned a 78% save success fee as he made 25 stops in simply seven video games (through Sofascore).
His show towards Brazil was significantly excellent as he made 11 saves to maintain Croatia within the sport, earlier than thwarting Rodrygo through the penalty shootout as they knocked out the pre-tournament favourites in sensational vogue.
This got here after one other three penalty saves towards Japan within the earlier spherical, in a efficiency that journalist Cetin Cem Yilmaz dubbed “legendary”.
Now extensively thought to be the World Cup “hero” that author Sacha Pisani labelled him, the 6 foot 2 goliath may boast a greater than succesful substitute at Leeds for Meslier, who could also be destined for greater issues.