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Leeds United are already setting the wheels in motion to get their Premier League squad ready

It’s been no secret that Leeds United have had issues between the sticks this season, despite their success.

On a number of occasions, no.1 Illan Meslier has made costly mistakes and cost his side points, leading to him being dropped in recent weeks.

Now that the Whites’ Premier League slot has been confirmed for next season, the goalkeeper search has ramped up, according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon page.

We asked Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie whether Johnstone would be an acceptable upgrade on Meslier.

Johnstone fits the bill for Leeds

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “Leeds plotting a £10m move for Sam Johnstone.

“Listen, he’s experienced in the Premier League. I think [Illan] Meslier has had a bit of a nightmare at times and showed that, is he quite capable of being that sweeper role, particularly the way that Leeds play? I'm not sure that he would be the fit and I'm pretty sure that he won't be now. We've seen that he got taken out of the side.

“So, Sam Johnstone is more than capable of fulfilling that no.1 role and, you know, he’s a full international, he's got Premier League experience.

“And that's why I feel that he would be a really good fit for Leeds, because he's a fantastic goalkeeper.”

It’s a costly signing, but could be worth every penny for Leeds

Too often, when a promoted team gets up to the Premier League, their first thought is where the goals are going to come from.

It’s an important point, but there’s no use signing a top striker who can put away a goal a game if you’re conceding three at the other end.

Meslier does have experience in the Premier League with Leeds but, rather than growing into readiness for another shot at the top tier, the Frenchman appears to be regressing.

Looking at the raw clean sheet charts for the season, only James Trafford has more, but dig a little deeper, and it becomes apparent the Leeds defence are likely doing a lot of the heavy lifting there.

In terms of goals prevented, Meslier finds himself in the bottom five in the league: not numbers you’d be confident taking into the Premier League.

Reports suggest Johnstone would be available from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £10m, which seems a hefty fee given the former England international has appeared just seven times in the Premier League this season.

But he signed a four-year contract with Wolves only last year, and brings with him a wealth of experience from the leagues and being in the setups of top clubs like Manchester United and Crystal Palace in recent years.

A goalkeeper with that little bit more seniority, who can command a backline and is comfortable relying on their shot-stopping, might be exactly what the Whites need to stand a chance at survival.

Johnstone may not be a long-term option if Leeds want to develop a distinct style of play and establish themselves as a mainstay of the Premier League, but to bridge the transition from Championship to the top tier, and keep a cool head through the mammoth task that is survival, the 32-year-old could be a shrewd pick-up.