Journo makes Illan Meslier claim amid Tottenham Hotspur interest in Leeds goalkeeper
Speaking on the Phil Hay show, the Athletic Journalist Phil Hay claimed that Illan Meslier, who Tottenham Hotspur are currently looking at, is perhaps Leeds United’s most valuable asset.
The Whites sold Raphinha to Barcelona and Kalvin Philips to Manchester City this summer. The Brazil international, 25, cost Barca a mammoth £55million in transfer fees.
Phillips, 26, left Elland Road to join the Cityzens for a fee in the region of £45million. But now that the duo is out, Hay, who is Athletic’s reported on Leeds United, believes that Meslier is perhaps their most valuable asset now. He said (From around 06:40):
“It’s quite interesting of all the clubs that are looking at Meslier, I think it’s fair to say that he now has replaced Raphinha and Phillips as probably the highest value asset in the squad at Leeds. If clubs are bidding for everybody at Elland Road, he would command the highest fee.”
“It’s quite interesting that Spurs are one of the clubs looking at him as Lloris is getting into his mid-30s now and he is out of contract in 2024 and you would assume that Tottenham would now be looking at a succession plan for him.”
A wise transfer move?
Hugo Lloris, 35, continues to captain Spurs but there will be a time when we will have to think of life beyond him. If Meslier is the one that the Lilywhites choose as his successor, then Hay’s claim would be of some worry.
That is because Leeds would naturally want to exact as much money as they think they would be able to from any potential suitor for Meslier. At 22, Meslier is becoming a regular for France’s U21 side but is yet to get a call-up for Les Bleus‘ senior team.
With the likes of Lloris, AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, and Nantes’ Alban Lafont to compete with, it would be hard for Meslier to get regular action with the senior side. Meslier, make no mistake, is a giant in terms of his frame.
Standing at 1.97m tall, he doesn’t let his tall stature affect his agility. The problem would be that he still has just under four years left on his contract at Elland Road (Transfermarkt).
More Tottenham News:
- Tottenham star Son Heung-min scores wonderful free-kick goal for South Korea vs Costa Rica
- Spurs Transfer News: Tottenham target James Maddison has a “decision to make” in 2023
- Spurs Academy News: Pele Arganese-McDermott signs pro contract with Tottenham Hotspur
Hence, if Spurs try to sign him soon, it won’t be a surprise to see Jesse Marsch’s team put a big price tag on him – if they are even open to entertaining offers for him. Then again, if the Lilywhites wait too long, we cannot count out the possibility of other ‘big’ teams coming in for him as well.
