According to Ben Jacobs, Illan Meslier wants a release clause added to his contract if Leeds United do not win promotion to the Premier League this season.
The writer revealed on GiveMeSport [7 September] that the shot-stopper wants a clause that allows him to depart Elland Road if the Whites stay in the Championship for another season.
Although the 24-year-old’s current contract expires in 2026, Meslier hopes to negotiate a new contract with the club that contains a release clause in the event that Leeds fails to qualify for the Premier League again.
“The 49ers enterprise’s approach is very much that their hands have been a bit tied contractually, and anyone that they negotiate with, they want to try and remove that clause,” Mr. Jacobs said.
“But, of course, from the player’s perspective, if you knew the clause existed for others, or if you signed a new long-term deal, and I believe this is especially true, from what I hear, with Meslier, that the player may want to protect themselves against the fact that if Leeds do not go up, they’re stuck on a long-term deal, and maybe they feel their development is elsewhere. “So it’s a balancing act.”
Illan Meslier requests a release clause in the Leeds United contract update.
While Meslier has had a tumultuous spell in West Yorkshire, with being dropped by Sam Allardyce being his lowest point in a Leeds shirt, he is clearly the first choice now.
Daniel Farke seldom pulls the Frenchman from the starting lineup, and even with Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns as backups, Meslier’s absence might be disastrous.
The goalkeeper has made 170 appearances for the Whites since moving to Elland Road permanently during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure.
Although his stint at Leeds was not without flaws, since he made mistakes as a rookie goalkeeper, Farke would have a tough time finding a comparable replacement.
With Leeds looking for promotion to the Premier League for the second time around after losing out last season, Meslier’s demands are almost comprehensible, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt – and it is a decision the club will have to carefully consider.
