Shock Leeds transfer news emerges as report claims player could leave for less than market value

Barcelona are interested in signing Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh rumour which has emerged in Friday’s newspapers.

The Frenchman may still only be 21 years of age but he is already one of the first names on Marcelo Bielsa’s team sheet.

Meslier has been a model of consistency in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons, starting 57 out of a possible 60 matches in the competition, which becomes especially crucial when considering how many key Leeds players have missed time through injury this campaign.

Given the youngster’s potential, however, it could be that Leeds find it hard to keep hold of him and a new rumour suggests as much.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo [via Sport Witness], Barca are eyeing up a new goalkeeper because of Neto’s likely exit and Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s knee injury.

“Meslier emerged as a surprise candidate as Xavi Hernández’s side are considering a shock move for the Leeds man,” claims the Spanish outlet.

The report claims he could cost just €20m (£16.8m), which is actually less than his Transfermarkt value.

Fiorentina’s Bartłomiej Drągowski, Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou, Genk’s Maarten Vandevoordt and Nantes’ Alban Lafont are also mentioned as alternatives.

The thought of losing Meslier is worrying enough for Leeds, but if he were to move on for a such a meagre fee it would be an even more bitter pill to swallow for the fans.

The fact that his current Whites deal runs until the summer of 2026 certainly puts them in a strong position, however, so they would surely only entertain big-money offers.

Meslier would be such a difficult man to replace, especially given his long-term potential – he has been hailed as