First victim of Jorge Sampaoli, Steve Mandanda could head for the exit. To replace him, Stade Rennais is thinking of Ilan Meslier from Leeds.
The first half of Steve Mandanda's 2024-2025 season is more than delicate. Since the start of the exercise, he is the goalkeeper with the lowest percentage of saves in Ligue 1 (60%). If his advanced age allows him to label himself as the main leader of the Stade Rennais squad, the former Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper does not follow his performances with his status. With the recent arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, we could imagine that Mandanda's future was going to take a bad turn. His latest performances ultimately do not help him: the Breton club would like to start a new cycle as number 1 goalkeeper. It remains to be seen whether this will happen this winter or from next summer. Ilan Meslier, who plays for Leeds in the English second division, would also be favored by Stade Rennais.
Ilan Meslier in, Steve Mandanda out
According to information from Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Stade Rennais would be particularly interested in the idea of recruiting Ilan Meslier. The Breton club would target him to replace Steve Mandanda. The former goalkeeper of the France Espoirs team (2021-2023) is an indisputable starter at Leeds. At 24 years old, it is therefore logical that he generates interest among French clubs. Under contract until June 2026, Meslier could make the decision to leave Leeds after 6 years in England if the Peacocks fail to return to the Premier League.
This is where Stade Rennais could benefit. For now, Ilan Meslier is valued at 18 million euros according to Transfermarkt. An amount in the ropes of the Red and Black. At the end of the season, he will only have one year remaining on his contract. The Leeds club will therefore only have two options: either it manages to extend it, or it sells it in the next summer transfer window to avoid losing it for free in 2026. This season, the native of Lorient has only conceded 13 goals in 19 Championship matches and kept 11 clean sheets. Enough to generate tough competition on the file.
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