‘Personal terms agreed’ – Clubs discuss ‘£40m asking price’ in deal with potential Leeds United knock-on
One Leeds United player’s summer plans could be affected by a Tottenham Hotspur deal.
Prior to a potential transfer from Brentford, David Raya is said to have agreed to personal terms with Tottenham Hotspur. This move might put Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on the transfer auction block.
Since Hugo Lloris said earlier this month that he will leave North London when his contract expires at the end of June, the Bees are reportedly asking for £40 million for Raya. Spurs have also been connected with Meslier.
Raya has reportedly accepted Spurs’ contract offer, but negotiations between Brentford and Tottenham are still going on as the North London club tries to reduce the £40 million asking price from Brentford, according to Fabrizio Romano.
According to Football.London, Chelsea was interested in Raya, but Spurs have surged ahead of them in the race to sign the Spaniard.
Meslier is a reported target for the Stamford Bridge club who could opt to turn to the Frenchman after missing out on Raya.
Meslier is said to be on Chelsea’s shortlist as they search for a new goalkeeper ahead of the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old has made 126 appearances for Leeds since joining the club initially on loan in 2019. He was dropped by short-term head coach Sam Allardyce for the final four games of the 2022-23 campaign.
Earlier this week he discussed his future at Elland Road and claimed if he is to move on, he will want to join a club where he will be number one.
Speaking in an interview with French radio station RMC, he said when asked about his future: “It is complicated. It’s complicated when you get out of a situation that is ours.
“We haven’t got a coach, our club is being bought by the 49ers so there are a lot of unknowns. For now, I have my contract until 2026 so officially I still belong. Afterwards, I will have to think about what is best for me, what project can be the best, whether that’s Leeds United or maybe another club.”
When asked if he would find Chelsea appealing, Meslier replied, “That depends if it’s to go and sit on the bench. No, I’m not interested if it is. Of course we cannot refuse if it is to be number one.
“But the most important thing at 23 is to keep playing and to keep gaining experience to potentially go to another club later on where you’ll be mentally ready. I prefer go to a less famous club but where I will have playing time than to a top European club where I am on the bench.”
