Contact made: Leeds hold fresh talks to sign “outstanding” Meslier upgrade

With the 2025/26 Premier League campaign fast approaching, Leeds United are reportedly taking proactive steps to reinforce a key area of concern – the goalkeeper position. Discussions are said to be underway regarding a move for Lucas Perri, a potential new No.1 who could represent a significant upgrade on the underperforming Illan Meslier. Crucially, Perri may be available for a cut-price fee, making this deal all the more attractive given the financial and strategic considerations facing the club.

Leeds’ need for a new goalkeeper is no secret. Although the Whites stormed to the Championship title last season, securing an impressive 100-point finish, it wasn’t without bumps along the way. One of the most notable setbacks came in the form of Meslier’s inconsistent performances between the sticks. The Frenchman, once heralded as a top prospect, began to show alarming signs of unreliability as the campaign wore on. According to Planet Football, Meslier had already cost Leeds around 10 points by April, prompting Daniel Farke to make a crucial – and some might say overdue – decision to drop him in favour of veteran Karl Darlow.

That decision proved pivotal. With Darlow guarding the net, Leeds displayed a newfound defensive solidity that helped them maintain top spot and avoid the nerve-wracking unpredictability of the play-offs – a fate that befell the likes of Sheffield United, who discovered the hard way just how treacherous the play-off route can be.

Yet, while Darlow proved dependable during the final stretch, his age (34) makes him a short-term solution at best. With promotion now secured and Premier League football beckoning, Farke and the Leeds hierarchy – led by the 49ers ownership group – are keen to bring in a long-term first-choice goalkeeper capable of thriving at the top level. That search has reportedly led them to Lucas Perri, currently of Olympique Lyonnais.

According to The Guardian, Leeds have held talks with Lyon over a potential deal for the 26-year-old Brazilian, who could be prised away for a reduced fee due to Lyon’s mounting financial difficulties. The French club is in a precarious position, facing demotion to Ligue 2 if they fail to overturn financial sanctions via an appeal. If the appeal is unsuccessful, Lyon will be forced to offload several of their first-team players – possibly below market value – in an effort to stabilize their books.

One of the potential departures could be Perri, who only joined Lyon in January 2024. Since arriving, he has firmly displaced long-time starter Anthony Lopes and established himself as a commanding presence in goal. His performances have not gone unnoticed either. South American football expert Nathan Joyes has described him as “outstanding,” and the numbers back that up.

Comparing the Numbers – Perri vs Meslier (2024/25 League Stats via FBref):

Stat Lucas Perri Illan Meslier

Starts 33 39
Saves per 90 3.52 1.62
Save Percentage 74.4% 72.7%
Errors leading to shots 1 3

Across the board, Perri demonstrates greater reliability and consistency. He makes more saves per match, has a higher save percentage, and – perhaps most crucially – has committed fewer costly errors leading to opposition chances. These are the kind of traits that Farke has been craving in his No.1, especially as Leeds aim to solidify themselves in the Premier League rather than merely survive.

Farke previously opened up about his decision to drop Meslier last season, stating:

> “Obviously he was involved in both [Swansea] goals in the last game, and it was a shame because after the penalty save he was on his way to being man of the match. So it was clear we had to make a decision. And we had to make it early in the week, because in that position the players need clarity, and Karl [Darlow] needs the time to prepare.”

That moment marked a turning point in Leeds’ season – and possibly in Meslier’s Leeds career as well. Now, with Turkish giants Fenerbahce reportedly interested in acquiring the Frenchman, Leeds could be looking at an ideal scenario: offloading a struggling asset and replacing him with a more composed, statistically superior goalkeeper at minimal cost.

In Perri, Leeds may have found not just a replacement but an upgrade – one who fits Farke’s need for composure, dependability, and shot-stopping excellence. If the deal can be wrapped up in time, Leeds could enter the new Premier League season with a renewed sense of confidence between the posts – a foundational step as they look to establish themselves in the top flight once again.