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Chelsea, Newcastle United considering Illan Meslier move?

Chelsea, Newcastle United considering Illan Meslier move?
© Reuters
Chelsea and Newcastle United are reportedly both interested in signing Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea and Newcastle United.

The 22-year-old joined the Whites from Lorient in 2019, initially on loan, and he has made 105 appearances for the club in all competitions, keeping 28 clean sheets in the process.

Meslier has now made 90 Premier League appearances for Leeds, with the Frenchman again featuring against West Ham United in England's top flight on Wednesday night.

The stopper has a contract at Elland Road until June 2026, but there has recently been speculation surrounding his future with Jesse Marsch's side.

According to RMC Sport, Chelsea and Newcastle are both keeping a close eye on Meslier, with the duo considering moves for him this summer.

Illan Meslier in action for Leeds United on August 21, 2022© Reuters

The report claims that Bayern Munich are also admirers of the Frenchman, who has been Leeds' first-choice stopper since their promotion to the Premier League.

Chelsea are believed to be in the market for a new number one goalkeeper amid uncertainty over the long-term futures of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Newcastle, though, signed Nick Pope from Burnley over the summer, and the Englishman has been in impressive form for the Magpies during the 2022-23 campaign.

The 30-year-old has only conceded 11 times in the Premier League this season, keeping 10 clean sheets in his 18 appearances in England's top flight in 2022-23.

Newcastle have the best defensive record in the Premier League this term, having conceded just 11 times, three fewer than division leaders Arsenal.

Nick Pope in action for Newcastle United on October 8, 2022© Reuters

Leeds boss Marsch was full of praise for Meslier following his performance in the goalless draw with Newcastle on December 31.

"With Illan I'm always challenging him to mature with his presence in goal, with his belief in himself, with his assuredness in decision making and with saves and with crosses," Marsch told reporters.

"For me, by being the last defender at the right time, the choices he made with the ball, the saves he made, the crosses that he caught, this is probably his best performance since I've been here, even with Liverpool.

"So I think we're seeing it, seeing a goalkeeper that's growing right before our eyes and that's going to be really important for us."

Manchester United have also previously been credited with an interest in Meslier.

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Written by
Matt Law

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