Illan Meslier is reportedly seeking a release clause in his new contract at Leeds United, allowing him to leave if the club fails to secure promotion to the Premier League this season.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the 24-year-old French goalkeeper is keen to protect his future should the Whites remain in the Championship beyond this campaign.
Meslier’s current deal runs until 2026, but he is negotiating fresh terms with Leeds. Jacobs, speaking via GiveMeSport on 7 September, revealed the shot-stopper’s desire for an exit clause if Leeds fall short of their promotion ambitions.
“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,” Jacobs said.
“But of course, from the player’s point of view, if you knew the clause existed for others, or you signed a new long-term deal, and I think this is particularly the case, from what I hear, with Meslier, that the player may want to protect themselves against the fact that if Leeds don’t go up, they’re stuck on a long-term deal, and maybe they feel their development is elsewhere. So it’s a balancing act.”
Meslier’s demand for a release clause reflects both his ambition and Leeds’ precarious situation as they fight for promotion.
The French goalkeeper has been an integral part of the team since his permanent move to Elland Road during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure, making 170 appearances in total. However, his time in West Yorkshire has not been without its ups and downs.
Being dropped by Sam Allardyce towards the end of last season marked a low point in Meslier’s Leeds career.
Yet, under current boss Daniel Farke, Meslier is firmly established as the club’s number one choice. Despite the presence of Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns as backup goalkeepers, losing Meslier would be a significant blow.
While his performances have sometimes been inconsistent, Meslier’s youth and potential make him a difficult player to replace.
His demand for a release clause, given Leeds’ failure to earn promotion last season, seems almost justified. However, it puts the club in a tricky position as they seek to keep hold of a player whose future may lie elsewhere if things don’t go according to plan.