Illan Meslier to leave Leeds United? Birmingham City, Derby County and QPR should take a gamble | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three Championship clubs that should look to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds this summer

Illan Meslier’s downfall is a harsh example of how brutal professional football can be, with the Frenchman having been left out in the cold at Leeds United since a series of high-profile errors.

Leeds were charging towards promotion in the final stages of last campaign before hitting a rough patch of form, with Meslier at fault for several errors, most notably in their 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City, dropping a corner under no pressure to allow Harry Darling to score, before letting Zan Vipotnik’s low driven effort creep in under him in the dying embers.

Prior to that, inconspicuous errors against both Sunderland and Hull City damaged the Frenchman’s reputation, and following his display against Swansea, he has been out of the side ever since.

Meslier had been a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side previously, playing a huge role in their ninth-placed finish in 2021, and has since gone on to rack up over 200 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit.

His contract is due to expire at the end of the season, with it being incredibly unlikely he will be offered new terms at this stage, with an exit the most obvious route.

Turkish side Besiktas had reportedly agreed terms with him in the winter, but a move never materialised, as FLW takes a look at three potential EFL clubs that should take a gamble on the 26-year-old this summer.

Birmingham City

It’s been a disappointing year, all things considered, for Birmingham City.

Expectations were through the roof following their record-breaking campaign in League One last time out, with the hopes that they could go on and carry that momentum into the Championship under head coach Chris Davies.

That hasn’t quite materialised, as Blues’ play-off hopes look slim at this stage, with another year in the second tier being the most likely outcome.

James Beadle has made his place between the sticks his own since joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, with Ryan Allsop having been displaced from his role at the end of September.

Beadle will likely return to Brighton this summer and potentially challenge Bart Verbruggen and fellow Championship loanee Carl Rushworth for the number one spot at the Amex, with another spell at St Andrews unlikely at this stage.

A new body between the sticks at Birmingham seems likely heading into the summer window, and with Meslier available on a free, despite his recent reputation, he has proven to be an excellent shot-stopper at this level on numerous occasions.

With two promotions to his CV, he could be an excellent fit at St Andrews, with the club's ownership targeting a Premier League return as soon as possible, and the Frenchman could help them with their goal.

Derby County

Derby County have been unfortunate with injuries to their goalkeepers this season, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom having been out since the end of January with a mystery illness, as Josh Vickers is set to miss up to eight weeks, leaving veteran keeper Richard O’Donnell to step in.

Zetterstrom and Vickers have both impressed in their own right when called upon, with the Swede remaining as John Eustace’s first choice between the sticks when fit.

The 27-year-old joined the Rams in the summer of 2024 after impressing for Djurgarden, as his performances have reportedly attracted the interest of Premier League clubs such as Bournemouth, Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

Approaching the final 12 months of his deal at Pride Park, there is a very real possibility that Zetterstrom could leave the club this upcoming summer, so Derby don't risk losing him for nothing, should he not sign fresh terms.

If the Swede were to leave, Meslier could be an excellent alternative.

With Derby unlikely to break the bank this upcoming summer, the Frenchman would represent superb value for money, and in need of a home where he can re-find his form from years gone by, Pride Park could be the perfect place to do just that.

Queen’s Park Rangers

It's been another frustrating season for Queens Park Rangers, with the West London outfit looking almost certain for yet another year in the second tier, with the likelihood of relegation or a top-six finish growing increasingly slim.

Julien Stephan took the hot seat at Loftus Road in the summer following the departure of Marti Cifuentes to Leicester City, and since his arrival, there have been glimpses of quality, though unfortunately for them, they have been few and far between.

Injuries haven't helped their case, with Rumarn Burrell's injury in particular coming as a huge blow to their attacking options, whilst Ilias Chair, Kwame Poku, and Jake Clarke-Salter have all missed prolonged periods due to injuries.

Their goalkeeping department has been far from solid, too, with each of Paul Nardi, Ben Hamer, and, most recently, Joe Walsh having had runs between the sticks.

With Murphy Cooper being loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday, it's been quite chaotic in that area this year, and though QPR should do their best to get a solid pair of hands in goal in the summer, Meslier could be an interesting option.

With none of Nardi, Hamer, or Walsh guaranteed a place in the net next season, whilst Cooper's future is up in the air, a move for another goalkeeper could be on the cards this summer.