Leeds United manager Daniel Farke continues to strengthen his promoted outfit and gear up for the Premier League with the expected arrival of Lucas Perri from Olympique Lyonnais.
The goalkeeper position has been a main target for improvement within the summer transfer window, and Farke looks to have got his new number one in the form of shot stopper Perri.
Despite being reprieved from relegation via appeal, Lyon continue to deal with financial struggles, which ultimately has led to the sanctioning of the deal.
The Brazilian is set to join Leeds in a deal worth around €16 million (£13.9 million) and will shake up the pecking order for the number one spot between the sticks.
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Lucas Perri’s transfer marks the end for Illan Meslier as a Leeds player
Since being dropped in favour of Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier has seemed closer to the exit door day by day, but the arrival of Perri confirms the Frenchman will likely be moved on this summer.
Leeds had initially been linked with Djordje Petrovic and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic; however, it appears the Lyon goalkeeper is their man and will join the current Whites squad in their Germany pre-season camp.
Meslier made several high-profile mistakes in Leeds’ title-winning campaign, with points being dropped to Hull, Sunderland, and Swansea in a calamitous manner.
Darlow appeared to steady the ship in goal as Leeds went on to win the Championship title on the final day.
Farke will likely keep Darlow on the books as a back-up, a role the Welsh international has filled for two seasons already, with Meslier free to negotiate an exit.
Despite being Bielsa’s first-choice goalkeeper across Leeds’ return to the Premier League in 2020, Meslier has clearly lost the confidence of both his current boss and those in the stands.
Lucas Perri is the final defensive piece of the Leeds United puzzle
Leeds United appear to have addressed their defensive transfer business through the signing of Perri, with two central defenders, a left-back and a new goalkeeper now all through the door.
The Brazilian goalkeeper kept ten clean sheets in Ligue 1 last season, helping Lyon finish sixth and secure Europa League football.
Perri prevented an impressive 6.05 goals across 33 appearances, a world ahead of Meslier’s cataclysmic record of minus 2.73 goals prevented.
The move has garnered praise online from fans as “smart business” with Leeds fans relieved a major issue has been resolved.
With money invested in the defensive third of the pitch, the Whites can now turn their focus to their attacking targets, with negotiations still ongoing for Igor Paixao and a consistent interest in Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz.
Perhaps the signing of a fellow countryman could help persuade the Feyenoord winger to join the club, with the hope that Muniz could potentially follow suit.
With around £70 million spent in transfers so far, Leeds still look well-equipped financially to invest in their attack and prepare themselves for their fight to survive in the Premier League.