Illan Meslier shows why Leeds United should activate reported £4.5m transfer option

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Leeds United are out of the FA Cup in what might be considered perfect circumstances. Leeds can now fully focus on the Championship promotion race but put in a performance against Premier League Arsenal which suggests they are more than ready for the step up to the top-flight already. Leeds dominated the first-half but faced a far superior Arsenal in the second and ended up losing 1-0 to a Reiss Nelson goal. But Marcelo Bielsa still managed to rotate his squad and give full debuts to both Robbie Gotts and Illan Meslier.

The latter certainly did himself no harm with his performance. 

The Frenchman, on loan from Lorient for the season, put in a strong display between the posts for Leeds United. 

He made some good saves and so nearly kept out Nelson’s eventual winner. 

But it was perhaps his distribution that most caught the eye. The 19-year-old’s left-foot was sumptuous, so much so he rarely failed to find his target. 

It was a display that would suggest Leeds should do their utmost to keep the young talent at the club long-term.

Kiko Casilla is the current number one and will be for some time. However, he is the other side of 30 and Meslier looks a potential long-term star if Leeds could keep hold of him. 

Leeds have the option to keep him permanently and Meslier told Goal France in November that he was open to a permanent swap despite playing second fiddle to the Spaniard. 

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“Why not! 

“I went there to continue learning and to finish my training. Maybe one day I will be passed the torch (by Casilla).”

As reported by The Athletic, Leeds’ option to sign Meslier sits at £4.5 million and based on this evidence he could be a bargain buy for the future. 

If they haven’t already, permanent talks should be on the horizon for this teenage stopper.