Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who has emerged as a more attainable option to Hugo Lloris and a cheaper alternative to David de Gea in the summer transfer market.
The 2020 Champions League finalists are considering a bid for the 21-year-old, who could replace current first-choice Keylor Navas in Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
France captain Lloris played for Pochettino at Tottenham for five years and is out of contract in 2022, but PSG could find Spurs chairman Daniel Levy difficult to deal with, even if manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly eyed Burnley’s Nick Pope as a potential replacement.
Manchester United could be open to offers for De Gea, especially if Dean Henderson replaces their four-time player-of-the-year as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice goalkeeper, but the Spaniard’s £375,000-a-week wage may prove off-putting.
Meslier joined Leeds on loan from Lorient in 2019 and his transfer became permanent after their promotion to the top flight last year. He replaced Kiko Casilla as the regular in 2020 and has become the first goalkeeper under 21 to get eight Premier League clean sheets in a season.
While he has two years left on his current deal at Elland Road, it is thought the chance of a move to Paris could tempt him. Meslier’s two years under Marcelo Bielsa, Pochettino’s mentor, should equip him for a similar style of play and he is known for his excellent passing.
Fulham v Leeds ratings
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FULHAM RATINGS: Alphonse Areola - 6, Made a good save to deny Ezgjan Alioski and was unlucky to see two goals go past him. AFP -
Ola Aina - 4, Could have done more to stop the cross for the opener and had a few other moments where his defending was far too weak. EPA -
Joachim Andersen - 6, Had a very shaky start as he got lucky after letting Patrick Bamford get through on goal. He redeemed himself by scoring Fulham’s equaliser but overcommitted himself in the lead up to Leeds’ second. AP -
Tosin Adarabioyo - 5, Was decisive in quite a lot of his play but got caught looking flat-footed by Bamford for the opener. Getty -
Antonee Robinson - 6, Struggled to deal with Leeds’ threat down the right and completely messed it up when a shooting chance presented itself to him. Went headfirst into the advertising boards but carried on getting forward. AP -
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6, Endured quiet periods but often looked to make things happen and did well in the air. Kept hold of the ball well, but there were times where this slowed down Fulham’s play. AP -
Harrison Reed - 7, Put in a combative display from the start and overcame a knock from colliding with Roberts to get under Leeds players’ skin at times. Reuters -
Mario Lemina - 5, Battled well in midfield and showed flashes of quality with his balls forward but his carelessness allowed Kalvin Phillips to steal the ball and help create Leeds’ second. Booked for a foul on Dallas. EPA -
Ivan Cavaleiro - 5, Let off a decent strike from range but should have done more considering how often he had the ball in the first half. Was very quiet in the second period. EPA -
Josh Maja - 6, Was unlucky to see his well-struck effort saved by Illan Meslier and had moments where it looked like he could cause problems for Leeds. PA -
Ademola Lookman - 6, Was anonymous for large periods but put in the corner, leading to the equaliser. Had a greater involvement in general, okay in the second period but could have done better when a chance came his way. AP -
SUBSTITUTES: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Maja HT) - 6, Held the ball up well when it came into him and was inches away from reaching a ball he surely would have put away. EPA -
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Reed 63’) - 6, Was neat in his play but struggled to turn that into any goalscoring opportunities. Booked for a foul on Raphinha. Kenny Tete (Aina, 72’) – N/A, Looked more confident than most of Fulham’s defenders and had the occasional foray forward. AP -
LEEDS UNIOTED RATINGS: Illan Meslier - 7, Made a superb save to deny Maja, was decisive with a punch and made a good save to stop Anguissa. Had to save his teammates after mistakes a few times. Getty -
Luke Ayling - 6, Showed plenty of purpose from the start and scored a brilliant header, but it was chalked off for offside. Made a clearance off the line but his defending for the equaliser was so poor. Getty -
Diego Llorente - 5, Almost gifted Maja a chance with his indecisiveness and there were other moments where he looked really shaky in the first half. Was more secure in the second. AP -
Pascal Struijk - 5, Made a mess of the first aerial threat that came away and he looked uncertain most times that happened throughout. Also had some sloppy moments with the ball at his feet. AFP -
Ezgjan Alioski - 6, Almost put the defence in trouble with a poor back pass and a lot of his play looked pretty reckless in the first half. He was solid in the second period. Getty -
Kalvin Phillips - 7, Always seemed to be tight on Anguissa and won the ball off Lemina to start the move that ended in Leeds’ second of the game. Booked for time wasting. Getty -
Raphinha - 8, Like Ayling, he had a goal ruled out for offside, though it was much clearer, but nobody was able to stop him getting on the scoresheet. Put in a good free-kick delivery that deserved a finish. Getty -
Stuart Dallas - 7, Was as reliable as ever and did well to deal with a threatening free-kick when it looked like nobody else would. Missed the target from a decent chance. PA -
Tyler Roberts - 7, Was always looking to make something happen, kept the ball well and excelled in most of his physical battles. Getty -
Jack Harrison - 8, His pressing was superb and the winger did very well to pick out Bamford with his assist for the opener. Tested Areola after a great run. AFP -
Patrick Bamford - 8, Wasted a good chance early on and had an injury concern. That didn’t stop him opening the scoring with nice movement and an instinctive finish. Then went on to assist Raphinha. Booked for a foul on Cavaleiro. Getty -
SUBSTITUTES: Mateusz Klich (Bamford 77’) – N/A, Showed a lot of energy and got a shot off from range. Robin Koch (Roberts 93’) – N/A, Went into the midfield and added a physical presence. Getty
Costa Rica international Navas has been PSG’s first choice since joining from Real Madrid in 2019. The triple Champions League winner was surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu when Real signed Thibaut Courtois and may face a similar scenario.
PSG also own France international Alphonse Areola, who has impressed while on loan at Fulham this season and who is due to return to the French capital, but who has not played for his parent club since 2019.
