Leeds United Agree Transfer Fee With Lyon For Their Star Custodian: What’s Next For Meslier? | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Daily Mail is believed to be true, Leeds United have struck a deal with Lyon for Lucas Perri. The French side have agreed a £15.6m for their Brazilian keeper, who is now set to undergo his medical in the Whites’ pre-season training camp in Germany and could feature on Saturday in a behind-closed-doors friendly fixture.

The 27-year-old former Selecao youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Ponte Preta and São Paulo before breaking into the latter’s senior squad. He also spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Crystal Palace, but was not deployed by Roy Hodgson at all. Vicente Guaita, Wayne Hennessey, and Julián Speroni challenged each other for first-team minutes, and Perri returned to São Paulo to fight for his place between the sticks.

A loan spell at Náutico in Serie B earned him recognition, which led to a transfer to Botafogo in 2022. After 63 appearances in the 2023 calendar year, Lyon snapped him up for €3.25m in January 2024. He replaced veteran Remy Riou as the understudy to Anthony Lopes for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign; however, manager Pierre Sage promoted Perri as the first choice since last summer.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 22: Goalkeeper Lucas Perri of Botafogo kicks the ball during the match between Corinthians and Botafogo as part of Brasileirao 2023 at Neo Quimica Arena on September 22, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)

Leeds United conquered the Championship crown en route to securing a top-flight return. Daniel Farke has done it again, having secured successive promotions with Norwich City. But the German boss must find the right balance to avoid relegation. After failing to do so with the Canaries, he should recruit proven stars to match Premier League standards.

Why Perri Would Feature As Leeds ‘Number 1’

Illan Meslier has been a regular at Elland Road since 2020 and has so far appeared 215 times in all competitions. But he was dropped in favour of Karl Darlow towards the closure of the previous season. The Frenchman has now slipped further down the pecking order, with Perri expected to grab the ‘number 1’ status from August onwards.

Leeds have already bolstered the backline by snapping up Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson. Also, Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach should strengthen the Whites in the middle of the park. While they are in the hunt for another centre-forward, the Brazilian would offer more stability and composure with his experience and leadership traits.

The 6 ft 6 in goalkeeper is rated for his reflexes from close range, shot-stopping, outing, long throws and distribution from the last line of defence. Meslier has often been criticised for his errors and inconsistencies, and the Yorkshire heavyweights might now sanction the Frenchman’s exit if the right offer arrives.