Lorient have confirmed on their official website a somewhat surprise clause has been included in Leeds United’s season-long loan deal for goalkeeper Illan Meslier, after a move was confirmed for the 6ft 6in giant.
Leeds have sought to bring in a replacement for Bailey Peacock-Farrell before Thursday’s deadline, after the club sold the Northern Ireland international to Premier League side Burnley for a reported £3.5million.
The former Middlesbrough youth player had entered the final 12 months of his contract, and now France Under-20 international Meslier has been brought in to replace Peacock-Farrell until the end of the season.
Meslier is highly-rated and has been linked with a move to Monaco and Chelsea in the past. Indeed, he has clocked up 30 senior appearances for the Ligue 2 side – conceding just 32 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets.
He also made two appearances for France’s Under-20 World Cup side earlier this summer, helping his side reach the last 16 of the competition before being knocked out. But Leeds have included a clause in the loan deal.
It means the Whites will be given the chance to sign Meslier on a permanent deal at the end of the season if they want to sign him permanently. There had been no mention prior to a move, but Lorient have confirmed as such.
