Leeds United’s summer transfer window will be dictated by what happens in the next 12 days.
The Whites face the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final against Norwich City on Thursday night with the tie very much still in the balance.
A cagey affair saw Leeds earn a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road at the weekend and so a win at home, where they had been so strong until the last two matches, would take them to Wembley to face one of Southampton or West Bromwich Albion.
If Leeds were to go all the way and win the play-offs for the first time in their history, it would lead to a considerably more exciting summer, with the focus on who comes in, rather than who goes out.
On the other hand, 49ers have already acknowledged there will need to be key sales if Leeds stay in the Championship, in order to comply with PSR and offset some of the £190 million in unpaid transfer instalments.
Leeds should sell Illan Meslier regardless of play-off outcome
Leeds will have plenty of work to do on player sales anyway as six members of last season’s first team squad return after their respective loan spells.
Daniel Farke has already hinted he doesn’t want any of them back, while Leeds are confident Jack Harrison, Max Wober, Marc Roca and Diego Llorente have done enough to be sold.
But there is one player from within who should be the first to be moved on, and that is someone Farke has labelled as ‘world class’ this season – Illan Meslier.
Meslier has looked more confident over the course of this campaign in comparison to last year, but once again at crunch time, he looks a bundle of nerves.
Having looked shaky at QPR, the 24-year-old was even more so at Carrow Road. He put at least two simple 15-yard passes out of play, and also completed just five of 17 attempted long balls.
It was incredible just how nervous Meslier looked on Sunday considering Norwich had just one tame shot on target and barely got close to Leeds’ goal.
The £5m man just has not developed as he should’ve done since breaking into the team over three years ago, and this summer feels like the best time to part ways, irrespective of how the play-offs go.
Leeds already seemingly targeting Meslier upgrade
There have already been rumours over the last few weeks that Leeds are targeting another goalkeeper, which could indicate the end of Meslier’s time at Elland Road.
Rotherham United’s Viktor Johansson could be available for just £1 million after their relegation and is said to be someone Leeds are looking at.
He would immediately represent a significant upgrade and could also be brought in for less than what Leeds will be able to sell Meslier for.