Paraag Marathe has already admitted some player trading will need to take place at Leeds United this summer.
That effectively means Leeds are going to need make a sale or two in order to remain compliant with PSR and give them the required leeway to make signings.
The window has already been open for two weeks but it would be fair to say it has been a very quiet start at Elland Road, with Jack Harrison’s return to Everton on loan the only notable bit of movement.
Marc Roca and Diego Llorente could well be the next two out of the door, both to Real Betis, but those departures won’t come as a surprise to anyone.
Instead, it will be more interesting to see which members of last season’s first team squad depart, with nothing seemingly advanced as of yet.
Leeds could be about to seal Illan Meslier upgrade by making a profit
Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto and Archie Gray are the three names who have been attracting the most interest so far.
If any of those players are sold, Leeds are going to find it difficult to find an upgrade at this level, even despite the fees that have been touted for each of them.
However, Illan Meslier has become the latest big name from last season’s first team squad to have been linked with a move, with Ligue 1 side Marseille keen to bring him back to France.
Ann asking price of £20 million has been reportedly set by Leeds to sell the 24-year-old, which would represent a significant profit on the £5 million they paid Lorient in 2019.
That same report has suggested Fulham’s Marek Rodak as someone Leeds are looking at to potentially replace Meslier. He is set to be available on a free transfer.
If both of those two deals were to materialise, Leeds would actually have managed to upgrade their number one by not having to spend a single penny, while simultaneously bringing in a large chunk of money.
Rodak is still only 27, has two Championship promotions on his CV, and is also a 22-time capped Slovakia international.
Meslier, on the other hand, just has not developed as he should’ve done since his debut at Arsenal in January 2020. It feels like a no brainer.
What is Meslier’s stance on leaving Leeds this summer?
Until Daniel Farke’s intervention, Meslier had actually been expected to leave Leeds last summer following a dismal end to the 2022/23 campaign.
However, if Meslier was to get his wish, that does not look like it will be the case this time around, with reports suggesting he is keen on an exit and in particular to Marseille.
Contact has already started between the Ligue 1 giants and Meslier, though any deal still remains in the early stages, with other clubs also interested.