Leeds United should be eyeing up Plymouth Argyle raid amid Meslier, Marseille talk: View | OneFootball

Michael Cooper looks set to exit Home Park this summer, and United should be first in line to make him theirs

Both Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United have been dealt major news regarding their goalkeeping options in the past week, with both sides weighing up their options for their respective glovesmen.

The Pilgrims were rocked by the news that academy graduate Michael Cooper has rejected a new deal on Thursday, with a summer sale now on the cards as they look to cash in on their shot-stopper.

Meanwhile in Yorkshire, United number one Illan Meslier is said to be the target of Ligue 1 side Marseille this summer, with former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi said to instated as boss of the French side within the coming days.

It could be a case of one door shutting another one opening for the Whites this summer, with one of the division’s most promising assets readily available when they might need him the most.

Michael Cooper could offer Leeds United Illan Meslier replacement after Plymouth Argyle rejection

Cooper has become something of a mainstay for Argyle since making the step up from the academy to the first-team, with 141 league appearances for the Pilgrims during his time with the club.

Having joined the ranks at Home Park as a child, the custodian between the sticks has excelled for the Devon outfit, and played a major part in their promotion from League One to the Championship in the 22/23 campaign.

A series of injury setbacks have limited his game time of late, with the 24-year-old only mustering 19 Championship matches during the previous season, although his influence on the team cannot be understated.

Not only did his reflex saves earn his side valuable points in the battle against the drop, but his quick-thinking when he has the ball at his feet make him a valuable asset, as the Greens look to set up quick counter-attacks.

The Sun journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that a number of sides have had their heads turned by the shot-stopper ahead of the summer transfer window, while Aston Villa are a side that hold a long-term interest in the Argyle man.

Stats prove Michael Cooper could offer Leeds United goalkeeping upgrade

Much has been made of Meslier’s ability with his feet during his stint at Elland Road, with with Frenchman more than comfortable in possession, but looking at the underlying numbers, the Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper could prove to be an upgrade if the Marseille move happens this summer.

When comparing the pair, Cooper has a save percentage well above his adversary in Championship matches from the previous campaign, with the Argyle stopper repelling 72.6% of efforts coming his way, compared to Meslier’s 67.8%.

Both ‘keepers managed to keep out a penalty apiece in domestic action over the past 12 months, while Cooper once again tops the bill when it comes to collecting crosses, with 11.0% of balls into the area being collected, while Meslier registered just 4.9% in the same metric.

The Yorkshire outfit’s main man did keep triple the amount of clean sheets in the second tier last season due to his superior amount of game time, with 40.9% of his matches ending without picking the ball out of the net, compared to Cooper’s 31.6%

With just five months in age separating the pair, both players look to have a bright future ahead of them, but where that will be panning out next season remains to be seen, with the duo both potentially off to pastures new before the new season begins.

Leeds are said to need to raise plenty of cash to meet EFL financial regulations this summer following their failure to return to the Premier League, which could see the sale of Meslier become all the more likely as time goes on.

Daniel Farke’s side are said to be holding out for a fee in excess of £20 million for the Frenchman as it stands, and with Cooper set to be available for a fraction of that price, it could be a move that works out well for all parties this summer.