Leeds United’s summer transfer window was a rather successful one.
The Whites spent almost £100m on new talent, and the new additions have certainly helped the club adapt to the Premier League as the Whites currently sit six points better off than any of the other promoted sides.
One thing that went slightly under the radar this summer was Leeds’ brilliant work in the U23 market, with the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Sam Greenwood looking like promising arrivals.
The one that seemingly caught the eye above the others though as Joe Gelhardt, the former Wigan striker has been described as the ‘bargain of a lifetime’ with Leeds paying just over £1 million for his services.
The striker has since been described as the bargain of a lifetime, and while we agree that Leeds found one of the best bargains ever this summer, we don’t think Gelhardt was their best deal.
Indeed, the signing of Illan Meslier is the transfer that Victor Orta should be proudest of.
Signing a goalkeeper who kept seven clean sheets in 10 Championship games for just £5 million is ridiculously good value in the current market, but when that goalie is a 20-year-old who has adapted brilliantly to the Premier League.
Meslier has saved Leeds’ skin on a number of occasions this season, most notably against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, but his stats are up there with the best stoppers in the league.
The Frenchman has a better save percentage than the two most expensive goalkeepers of all time, in Alisson and Kepa.
That’s before you factor in that four of the shots that have beaten him this season have come from the penalty spot.
When you take penalties out of the equation, his save percentage from non-penalty shots is amongst the best in the division.
This is a £5 million 20-year-old goalkeeper outperforming a number of stoppers who have cost at least £30 million, and that makes him one of the biggest bargains we have seen in the Premier League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
