La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly identified 21-year-old French goalkeeper Illan Meslier as a possible replacement for Neto.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Illan Meslier is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants are keeping tabs on the French goalkeeper’s progress at Leeds United.
Illan Meslier has progressed considerably since joining Leeds United from FC Lorient. The Whites initially signed the 21-year-old on loan for the 2019/20 season before making his stay permanent in July 2020. And in the last two and a half years, the player has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in England.
To date, the Frenchman has made 72 appearances for Leeds, keeping 23 clean sheets in the process. Meslier’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Barcelona, setting their sights on him.
Barcelona might need to enter the transfer market for a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window as Neto is unhappy with his position in the first-team setup. The Brazilian shot-stopper will likely seek a summer departure from Camp Nou to attain first-choice status at a new club.
While Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s levels have dropped considerably in the past year, Xavi Hernandez still prefers the German international as the first-choice goalkeeper. And Inaki Pena could be in contention to become the next backup stopper for Barcelona once he returns from his loan stint with Galatasaray.
But Barcelona could opt for a new backup goalkeeper too, in case Pena is sent out on another loan spell in the summer transfer window. That is why the Catalan giants have created a five-man shortlist of goalkeepers for the summer transfer window, with Meslier being one of the options on their radar.
A move to Barcelona could hinder the 21-year-old’s progress, though, which puts a potential summer transfer in doubt. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if the French goalkeeper will be attracted by the idea of joining a club like Barcelona and leaving his first-choice role at Leeds United in the process. Manchester United could also be in the running for his signature after scouting him this season.
