Leeds United delved into the transfer window yesterday on deadline day to make two new signings.
The Whites have brought in 19-year-old goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a loan deal from FC Lorient. The 6ft 6inc stopper is a France Under-20 international and Leeds do have an option to buy him on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Meslier has risen up through the youth ranks at Lorient and is being tipped for a big future. He will offer more competition and depth to Leeds’ goalkeeping department.
Marcelo Bielsa then sharpened his attack by landing the in-demand Eddie Nketiah on a season-long loan from Arsenal.
Nketiah has represented England at U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels so far and he made his debut for the Gunners’ senior side in September 2017, coming off the bench as an 89th substitute in a Europa League game against BATE Borisov.
He then made his next appearance in a League Cup tie against Norwich City a month later and scored twice to send Arsenal into the next round. He has since played in 13 more games for the Gunners but hasn’t added to his goal tally.
Here is how the Leeds fans have reacted on Twitter to their signings yesterday-
Really pleased that @LUFC have secured both Eddie Nketiah and Illan Meslier as 1-year loan signings. Still think left side of defence not quite right yet but very confident for season ahead. Now all we need is for MB to perm the players and keep everyone happy. #LUFC #MOT #ALAW
— Patrick's Punts (@PatricksPunts) August 8, 2019
Effectively we've replaced Jansson, Roofe, Saiz and BPF with White, Nketiah, Costa and Meslier. OK, I'm going to say it – we've got a stronger squad than last season. #LUFC
— Andy Brook 🏆 (@andybrook1) August 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/Terryd1963/status/1159385821864177664
Not getting carried away but I've just booked myself in to get Eddie Nketiah tattooed on my back #lufc
— Danny (@dannybubz) August 9, 2019
Nketiah at Leeds is gonna go one of two ways. Either he’s going to absolutely tear the league apart or he’ll be another James Wilson. #bhafc #lufc #afc
— Adam (@LordSatNav) August 8, 2019
Massive credit to Victor Orta who worked so hard on getting the Eddie Nketiah deal to Leeds done👏#lufc #mot
— Ryan (@LeedsUtdRyan) August 8, 2019
Really excited with nketiah signing ! Hopefully Bielsa will rotate with Bamford or he will be on the bench a lot #LUFC
— Andrew Harvey (@AndrewHarvey_) August 8, 2019
Nketiah will get 20 goals this season! #lufc
— Oliver Edwards (@OliverEdwards19) August 8, 2019