Manchester United have reignited their interest in Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier as the January transfer window approaches, according to reports.
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The club is eager to bring in a strong competitor for Andre Onana in the No.1 spot, with Meslier emerging as a prime target, per The Sun.
The 24-year-old Frenchman has been on United’s radar for years, drawing interest in 2021 and again in 2023. Red Devils goalkeeping scout Tony Coton is reportedly an admirer of Meslier, having closely monitored his performances at Leeds.
Coton sees him as a potential replacement for Altay Bayindir, should the Turkish keeper leave Old Trafford this January.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke has heaped praise on Meslier, calling him a “great shot-saver” and the “best keeper in the league” this season.
The Frenchman has been instrumental in Leeds’ Championship campaign, keeping 12 clean sheets in 22 matches—one of the top records in the division.
Since joining Leeds from Lorient for £5m in 2020, Meslier has made 197 appearances for the club. Despite being valued at over £20m during the summer transfer window, Leeds rejected bids for their prized goalkeeper, with chief executive Angus Kinnear confirming they turned down a mid-£20m offer.
Speaking on The Square Ball podcast in September, Kinnear explained, “We could’ve taken an offer for Illan… but we weren’t in a position where we needed to cash in.”
Manchester United are also monitoring Botafogo’s John Victor Maciel Furtado, known simply as John, as a backup option. However, if Bayindir stays at Old Trafford, United might delay their pursuit of a new goalkeeper until the summer of 2025.
