Leeds United in 5-cap international goalkeeper transfer chase as Illan Meslier replacement sought | OneFootball

Leeds United are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper, and they've been interested in Djordje Petrovic for some time.

Leeds United have stepped up their search for a new goalkeeper and are now interested Djordje Petrovic, who has been on loan this season at Strasbourg from Chelsea, according to reports.

The Whites secured the Championship title this past season, but they would have had quite a more than 100 points if you took the errors of regular starting goalkeeper Illan Meslier out of the equation.

The Frenchman came under fire from fans throughout the campaign, which led to his removal from the starting 11 late on in the season in place of Karl Darlow, and the position is an obvious place that needs strengthening upon their return to the Premier League.

Leeds United eye up Chelsea's Djordje Petrovic

TEAMtalk have confirmed that Leeds are looking to "bolster their goalkeeping department" over the summer and that they are now seriously considering making a move for Petrovic, who played 23 times for Chelsea in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season, as well as in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.

For the 2024/25 season though, the 25-year-old was loaned out to Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg of France, managed by Liam Rosenior and a club that are very much on the up in Ligue 1.

Petrovic has been getting rave reviews in France this season. He signed for Chelsea in July 2023 from New England Revolution on a seven-year contract, but it's been across the English Channel that he really seems to have blossomed after his Premier League experiences last year.

Strasbourg are 6th in Ligue 1, which would be enough to qualify them for the Europa Conference League next season. But it's in his individual statistics that his value becomes truly evident. He's kept ten clean sheets this season, and has only conceded 33 goals in 29 league appearances.

Djordje Petrovic would be a clear Illan Meslier upgrade for Leeds United, but transfer may be tough

Meslier has made over 200 appearances for Leeds since first joining from the French club Lorient in 2019, but a string of high-profile mistakes were one of the few blots in what was otherwise an outstanding season for United,

He was dropped at the start of April and replaced by Karl Darlow, with the experienced Welshman receiving praise for his performances over the remainder of the season - despite that though, there is likely to be a high-profile goalkeeper signing this summer.

The pull of European football next season could be strong, and it seems likely that Strasbourg will want to retain his services considering his performances this season. For Leeds, meanwhile, having both Petrovic and Darlow next season gives them options ahead of the new season.

All of this adds up to further woes for Meslier, who may be heading towards the end of his five-year stay at Elland Road.

But the fact of the matter remains that if Leeds couldn't afford the mistakes that he was making in the Championship this season, they certainly won't be able to do so once back in the Premier League again next time around.