Transfer value concerns Leeds United need new offer or quick sale of PSR with excellent reserve

Missing out on promotion creates a very different set of problems to the ones Daniel Farke wanted at Leeds United this summer. While the manager would have hoped to keep his best players in Premier League football and attract top-caliber recruits to Elland Road, he instead has to once again establish who he really likes in the second tier and to whom not

It remains in early summer. It’s been eighteen days since the Championship play-off final and the transfer window doesn’t even officially open tomorrow. Over the last few weeks, the players have either been on holiday, with their countries playing friendlies or preparing for Euro 20204 and the Copa America.

Even though many managers and directors would like to cross their fingers and see all their summer business done in one day, that sense of urgency is not matched by tired players or selling clubs waiting for the bidding wars to break out. There have currently been no official bids sent to Elland Road for any of their players, even those you’d expect to be popular with suitors this summer.

READ MORE: Why Leeds United have yet to announce their first transfer signing of the summer

Here, we pick the state of play with the Whites’ line-up and what could still be the big debates of the summer, starting between the sticks.

Illan Meslier is one of the more difficult situations to call upon this summer. With two years left on his contract, United’s hierarchy will be keeping an eye on his market value. In short, if he doesn’t leave in the next window, there should be a meaningful conversation about a new deal.

At 24, Meslier could still be more than six years away from his prime years as a goalkeeper. There is still the potential for goalkeeping coach Ed Wootten to make me or Angus Kinnear introduce them to potential buyers.

Meslier had a mixed year, even if he came away with a share of the championship’s Gold Glove award. There were incredible saves at Leicester City, Sunderland and at home to Norwich City in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, but there have also been errors scattered throughout the season, as recently as the first leg at Norwich.

It may come down to how much work Farke et al want to create. Assuming Meslier is open to staying, he is a useful stopgap for promotion. If Farke feels he can improve on the Frenchman and wants to make the effort to move Meslier while he pursues a replacement, it would not be a major surprise.

As a cheap recruit in 2020, Meslier would be a way to improve profitability and sustainability. Behind him, Karl Darlow was signed as a bona fide candidate for Meslier, but his flashes in the first team did not inspire much confidence.

Assuming he doesn’t rock the boat, Darlow is a stellar backup option in the second tier. Kristoffer Klaesson could be ready to pursue starts elsewhere with a year to run on his business at 23.