This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Leeds United have relied heavily on loans this season.
The Whites have six players in their squad that are loaned in from other clubs, and a number of those players have an option to buy in the deal that brought them to Elland Road.
Indeed, the club officially announced that they have an option to purchase Jack Harrison at the end of the season, while the Whites have an obligation to buy Helder Costa once next summer rolls around.
However, recent comments from Phil Hay in a Q&A session revealed that Leeds may also be in a position to sign Illan Meslier permanently at the end of the season. This follows on from Lorient’s confirmation last summer.
Speaking about the Frenchman, Hay said: “Lorient said there was an option to buy and I believe there is. From what I’m hearing, Bielsa will go with him if Casilla is hit with a ban.”
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Meslier hasn’t started a single game for Leeds this season, but there is an argument to make that Leeds should take up this option anyway.
The Frenchman is still only 19, and he’s previously been deemed good enough to be linked with moves to the likes of Chelsea and Monaco.
Yes, he’s not getting in Leeds’ team at the moment, but there’s no shame in not being able to displace a three-time Champions League winner.
Kiko Casilla is 33 years old, and he’s not going to be around forever, so signing a young replacement who has been linked with some of the biggest teams in Europe seems like a good bit of long-term planning.
Meslier is young enough to be able to learn from Casilla before he departs Elland Road in the next few years, so signing him permanently could be a way to solve the problem that will arise once Casilla departs before it even crops up.
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