Leeds United have now reportedly made the decision to allow an “impressive” player to leave the club when the January transfer window arrives.
Farke provides Leeds injury updates before Bournemouth
The Whites face a tough assignment in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, hosting a Bournemouth side who have impressed greatly so far this season.
Speaking ahead of the game, Leeds manager Daniel Farke provided a “mixed” injury update, with Jayden Bogle’s return to full training a clear positive.
“Overall in terms of injuries, some mixed news. So with Jayden [Bogle] good news, he is back in team training. It was nothing too serious, just a bruise was a bit sore and painful in the first few days. But since yesterday [he is] back in team training so he will be available if nothing major happens.
“Some good news with Daniel James, so progress with his rehab. Yesterday was the first time he joined us in team training and he has a chance to be involved depending on how his body reacts right now to the load of training, so we will take a late decision with him.
“Some bad news with Willy Gnonto, he won’t make it. So still some problems with his calf, he is not back in team training so he will definitely also miss the match. I hope to have him back in team training next week.”
Farke will likely know his starting lineup for Saturday’s match, but it looks like one squad player may not be at the club for too much longer.
Leeds expected to sell Meslier in January
According to a new update from TEAMtalk, Leeds will look to sell goalkeeper Illan Meslier in January, having fallen out of favour between the sticks under Farke. Serie A giants Inter Milan are said to be “leading the race” to snap him up.
It is claimed that the Whites “would accept a modest fee, potentially just covering the remainder of his contract, to avoid losing him for free next summer”.
Selling Meslier, who was once worth £50m, in January makes perfect sense, considering he has dropped down the pecking order at Leeds, clearly no longer being seen as a key man, following too many errors last season.
It feels like the right time for a new challenge for all parties, even though the Frenchman is a talented player who is still young for a ‘keeper, with Farke praising him earlier this year.
“He is focused every day, pretty settled and concentrated. It’s what you have to do in a side that dominate many games. Sometimes he has to be there with a first save after 60 minutes, pretty switched on. Compliments to his good work, played a major part, many clean sheets, number of clean sheets, pretty impressive.”
Meslier can still go on to enjoy a good career, but his aforementioned mistakes last season have seen Leeds supporters lose faith in him, and his time at Elland Road has simply reached its natural conclusion.