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Leeds United transfer news: Cooper hails 'unbelievable' Whites target, New goalkeeper touted

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier hasn’t exactly had the rub of the green in recent weeks.

The young Frenchman had an afternoon to forget against Arsenal last weekend, and was desperately unlucky to score an own goal in Friday night’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wolves.

A stunning Adama Traore effort cannoned back off the woodwork, hit the 20-year-old in the back, and crept over the goal-line, making him the youngster stopper in Premier League history to put the ball into his own net.

For the most part, however, you would have to argue that Meslier has had an impressive start to life in the top flight.

According to Wyscout, he has conceded 42 goals in all competitions this season from a total xCG (expected goals conceded) of 44.76, meaning that he is regularly stopping shots that he is not expected to.

His passing has been good too, and when it comes to his short distribution, he has completed nearly 98% of his attempted balls.

But former Elland Road number one Paul Robinson still believes that the Whites could do with some extra cover between the sticks, and has picked out the ideal man who he would like to see arrive in the summer.

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, he said: “I’d love to see them go and sign Tom Heaton in the summer. I think he would be a great signing for Leeds.

“He’s back from injury and one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in my opinion.

“He’s going to really struggle to get back in the Aston Villa side the way Martinez is playing. That’s something he’s not going to be happy with at his age, he’ll want to be playing.

“I think there’s an opportunity for him to come to Leeds. It would be a great move for both parties.

“If Meslier plays well between now and the end of the season, he’d keep the gloves but Heaton would provide really strong competition.”

Heaton has been beset by injuries in recent seasons, and has been restricted to Premier League 2 appearances this term after losing his place in Villa’s side to summer signing Emiliano Martinez.

But again, there’s no doubting his quality. The 34-year-old's last extended run in Villa's starting XI came in 2019/20, and during that stint his short pass completion rate was identical to Meslier's this term, while his reflex save percentage was actually 8% higher than the Frenchman’s.

Elsewhere, Liam Cooper has heaped praise on reported Leeds target Adama Traore.

As mentioned above, it was the Spaniard who made the difference in last night’s clash with Wolves, and Eurosport have suggested recently that the Whites are likely to make an attempt to lure him to Elland Road in the coming months.

Cooper would seemingly approve any such offer too.

Speaking to the Premier League’s official Youtube channel, he said: “The man is an unbelievable specimen.

“If he’s got you one-v-one you best get running back to your goal, because you’re not catching him.

“We are so man-for-man it’s difficult to do change tactics. But I think Adama is a different test, you have to sacrifice the man to man to sort of double and treble up on him.”

With 10 successful dribbles and the vital moment of magic against Leeds last night, Cooper was right to be wary of the hulking winger.

We’ve gathered the rest of today’s Premier League speculation below: