Real Madrid in swoop for Leeds United star in surprised interest -Football Espana
Real Madrid eyeing Leeds United star in surprise interest
Real Madrid are currently scrambling for a replacement for Thibaut Courtois, after the Belgian goalkeeper went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in training on Thursday. He is expected to miss most of the season, and Los Blancos are expected to go into the market to replace him.
Real Madrid are putting together a shortlist for the position, which Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou leads currently, but also includes David de Gea, Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and Dominik Livakovic of Dinamo Zagreb.
Now Sport say that another name has been added to their options, with Carlo Ancelotti reportedly no fan of David de Gea. None other than Leeds United’s Illian Meslier.
The 23-year-old forms part of one of the lists for Real Madrid, the first of which contains ‘Bono’, and is composed of more veteran options. Meslier would form part of the younger list with Livakovic and Mamardashvili.
Los Blancos like him for his similarities with Courtois, namely his height, and ability to make excellent stops. Meslier is also very accomplished with his feet, and despite his age already has three seasons of experience in the Premier League.
With Leeds having gone down last season though, they would reportedly be willing to let Meslier leave for €20m.
If Real Madrid did go for a younger goalkeeper, it may be that they are looking for a long-term replacement for Courtois too.
Related development:
Leeds United agree deal to sign ‘proven international’ Joe Rodon as Liam Cooper verdict emerges
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Joe Rodon is an “ideal fit” for the Leeds United defence and could be the “perfect opportunity” to restart his career, according to Paul Robinson.
The club announced the Welshman’s one-year loan move from Tottenham to Elland Road on Thursday (10 August) after having a minimal impact at the North London club since his arrival in 2020.
Now, he has been tipped for a good spell at Leeds and could be set for immediate game time considering captain Liam Cooper’s eight-week spell on the sidelines following a foot injury and the club’s “frightening” injury list.
Robinson claims that Leeds needed to address this area of the pitch due to Cooper’s absence and that Rodon is a very suitable option for Daniel Farke’s side to fill this void.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “He’s a good player but he’s had limited chances at Spurs. It looked like he was going to get an opportunity towards the end of last season when he came into the side.
“That proved that he can play at the top level. He’s a proven international player and I think for the way that Daniel Farke plays and he played with the back four at the weekend.
“The most important thing is that they got cover in that area with Liam Cooper out injured. He’s going to be injured for a long time. You look at the injury list that the club’s got, I mean, it’s frightening to think the amount of injuries that they’ve got one week into the season.
“With Liam Cooper injured for a good long time, I think it was imperative that they got cover in that area. I think Rodon is the ideal fit.
“He’s got Championship experience, he’s got Premier League experience and for him personally, there’s a call for him that he needs to restart his career again.
“Somewhere like Leeds is the perfect opportunity for him to do that.”
