---
title: "Chelsea join transfer race for Illan Meslier"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/illan-meslier-transfer-news-rumours-updates-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2023-03-19T20:15:28Z"
modified: "2023-03-19T20:15:28Z"
---

# Chelsea join transfer race for Illan Meslier

**[Chelsea](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/) are now interested in signing Leeds United goalkeeper [Illan Meslier](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/illan-meslier/), according to a report from [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-chelsea-join-race-to-sign-leeds-united-star-illan-meslier/).**

### The Lowdown: Chelsea eyeing goalkeeper

With goalkeeper Edouard Mendy currently ‘[not looking](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/edouard-mendy-simon-phillips-latest-transfer-rumours-updates/)‘ to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are eyeing a new option between the sticks, recently being [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/gregor-kobel-transfer-news-rumours-updates/) with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.

On a more long-term basis, Chelsea have been looking at a number of options with proven [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) experience, including Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper Robert Sanchez, who at one point was [deemed](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/chelsea-robert-sanchez-transfer-rumours-news/) to be ‘high up on the list.’

At one stage, the west London club were said to have made contact with [David Raya](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/david-raya-brentford-latest-transfer-rumours-updates/) about a move across the capital, while Everton’s [Jordan Pickford](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/chelsea-premier-league-jordan-pickford-world-cup-transfer-news-updates/) was also a target, but the Englishman has recently signed a new [contract](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3079137/pickford-signs-new-long-term-contract#:~:text=Jordan%20Pickford%20has%20signed%20a,the%20end%20of%20June%202027.).

### The Latest: Meslier targeted

As per a [report](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-chelsea-join-race-to-sign-leeds-united-star-illan-meslier/) from Football Insider, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Meslier in the summer transfer window, amid interest in the [£30m](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-leeds-slap-30m-price-tag-on-illan-meslier-amid-quit-claim/)-rated goalkeeper from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

[Graham Potter](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/graham-potter/) is said to have informed owner Todd Boehly that he would like a new goalkeeper in the summer, and the club believe they could sign the Leeds United star for a bargain fee if they are relegated from the Premier League.

Despite the high level of interest in the 23-year-old, the Blues are willing to outbid their rivals to secure his signature.

### The Verdict: Get it done?

[Lauded](https://twitter.com/benmckennaJPI/status/1586455238587944967?s=20) as ‘unbelievable’ by members of the media, the Frenchman is at the right age to be a long-term success at Stamford Bridge, and he has been one of Leeds’ most consistent performers in the Premier League so far this season.

With an average Sofascore mating of [6.89](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/leeds-united/34), the former Lorient man is the sixth-best performing player in the squad, most recently impressing by making a total of [six](https://www.sofascore.com/leeds-united-wolverhampton/dsJ) saves from inside the box in his side’s vital 4-2 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That said, it is unclear whether the 6 foot 4 colossus would be an upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga, [ranking](https://fbref.com/en/players/6b625ac2/Illan-Meslier) far lower than the [Spaniard](https://fbref.com/en/players/28d596a0/Kepa-Arrizabalaga) in terms of average save percentage per 90 over the course of the past year.

Given that Kepa has been putting in some very good performances in recent weeks, recently making [five](https://www.sofascore.com/chelsea-leicester-city/GsN) saves, including three from inside the box in the 3-1 victory at Leicester City, Chelsea should continue to monitor the performances of their current goalkeeper before deciding if a summer replacement is really necessary.