New Leeds United transfer update could accelerate Illan Meslier exit to Leicester City | OneFootball

Leeds United have reportedly agreed a deal for Lucas Perri, and that could accelerate Illan Meslier's move to Leicester City.

Leeds United and Leicester City have swapped divisions this summer, but they could well soon be about to do business, with Leeds now seemingly closing on a move for a replacement for Illan Meslier.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds gained promotion back to the top-flight as Championship winners last season, and they have embarked upon an already busy summer transfer window in terms of incomings.

Felix Nmecha, Sebastian Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Anton Stach have already all completed moves to Elland Road, with fresh reports suggesting they are now closing in on the signing of Lucas Perri.

In contrast, Leicester City’s business has been slow as they prepare for a return to the Championship, but news of Perri’s arrival to Yorkshire could well bring about the Foxes’ first signing of the summer.

Meslier move to Leicester could be accelerated now

According to Fabrizio Romano, confirming a report by Fabrice Hawkins, Leeds United have now ‘agreed a deal in principle’ to sign goalkeeper Lucas Perri from Olympique Lyonnais.

Leeds have been searching for a goalkeeper throughout the summer after Illan Meslier was dropped from the starting eleven for the final few games of the 2024/25 campaign as they eventually pipped Burnley to the second-tier title on the final day of the season.

It has been reported that Perri’s move to Leeds is now at the stage of a medical being booked with other formal steps to follow on from that, with a deal now in place for him to make the move from Ligue 1 to the Premier League.

That could therefore accelerate Leicester’s move to sign Meslier, with it having been reported by Ben Jacobs that the Foxes have discussed a move for the Frenchman.

Leicester are expected to be looking for a new goalkeeper for the 2025/26 season, with current number one Mads Hermansen the subject of interest from elsewhere, following their relegation from the Premier League.

It has been reported that West Ham United are pushing to sign the Danish shot stopper, whether that be an initial loan or a permanent move, with the experienced Lukasz Fabianski having departed the London Stadium at the end of his contract this summer.

A summer of change for Leicester

Leicester have been dealing with the threat of a points deduction this summer due to Profit and Sustainability Rules, and their business has been slower than supporters would have liked

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took charge of the club mid-way through last season, didn’t depart the club officially until late-June, despite his departure being seemingly inevitable before the end of last season.

The Dutchman’s replacement was also one that took time for Leicester to find and appoint, but former Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes has now been given the role at the King Power Stadium.

As well as the now apparently probable departure of Hermansen, Leicester have also seen club legend Jamie Vardy depart at the end of his deal, whilst other goalkeepers Daniel Iversen and Danny Ward have also left.

There are also reports suggesting that Bilal El Khannouss is a target for Bayer Leverkusen, whilst defenders Wout Faes and Caleb Okoli are also among those being linked with a move away.