Leeds United’s Summer Rebuild Falters as Milinkovic-Savic Deal Slips Away
As the summer transfer window rolls into its decisive middle stages, Leeds United find themselves in an increasingly precarious position. What was expected to be a proactive, forward-thinking rebuild under the club’s new ownership has slowed to a frustrating crawl. Early signs of ambition gave supporters hope that the 2024/25 campaign would be different — a summer of intent, strategy, and clear progression.
Instead, with just weeks to go before the Championship season kicks off, the club’s transfer activity has left fans with more questions than answers — especially in one of the most critical areas of the squad: the goalkeeper position.
An Ownership That Promised Vision — and Secrecy
When 49ers Enterprises took full control of Leeds United in 2023, there was cautious optimism around Elland Road. Backed by American capital and a stated ambition to return the club to the Premier League and keep them there, the group laid out a long-term plan focused on infrastructure, player development, commercial growth, and — most importantly — smart recruitment.
One of the more welcome changes under the 49ers has been the tight control over media leaks. Deals no longer play out in the headlines. The surprising signing of Lukas Nmecha was a testament to that: a player linked with no rumours until the deal was all but signed. Quiet, efficient business has become the new normal — but with that comes a lack of clarity when things stall.
Now, Leeds fans are starting to feel the silence. The transfer window is advancing, the season opener is fast approaching, and the squad remains visibly short of what’s needed to mount a serious promotion campaign. The need for reinforcements is glaring — none more so than in goal.
The Goalkeeper Situation: Time to Move On from Meslier
For the past few seasons, Illan Meslier has been an ever-present figure at Leeds United — a shot-stopper who rose quickly through the ranks to become the club’s first-choice keeper as a teenager. His performances in the Premier League showed flashes of brilliance: quick reflexes, commanding shot-stopping, and a fearless approach to one-on-one situations.
But as the team struggled in its final Premier League season and dropped into the Championship, Meslier’s form deteriorated. Unforced errors crept in, and confidence visibly waned. This past campaign — especially in the latter stages — saw some high-profile mistakes, including in crucial matches that defined Leeds’ playoff fate.
Now 24, Meslier no longer sees himself in a backup role, and the club no longer views him as the dependable No.1. A parting of ways is inevitable.
Reports suggest Turkish giants Fenerbahce are the latest to show interest, joining a long line of clubs previously linked with the Frenchman, including Marseille, Villarreal, and even Lazio. His value, while still significant, has dropped from its peak — but Leeds will likely accept a reasonable offer to move on and refresh the position.
That decision has left the club searching for a new goalkeeper capable of leading from the back. For weeks, the name at the top of that list was Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic: The Target That Got Away
The idea of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic wearing the No.1 shirt at Elland Road was exciting for many fans. At 6’8”, the Serbian international is an intimidating figure in goal. A consistent performer for Torino in Serie A, he has also featured regularly for Serbia on the international stage, including at the World Cup.
Strong in the air, excellent at claiming crosses, and possessing solid shot-stopping credentials, Milinkovic-Savic seemed like a tailor-made solution to Leeds’ problem. His profile matched the Championship’s physicality, and at 28, he offered experience and leadership in a position where stability is essential.
Yet despite positive early reports suggesting Leeds were quietly working on a deal — reportedly valued around £19 million — the situation changed rapidly. Enter Napoli.
Napoli Move Decisively — and Leeds Are Left Behind
As soon as Antonio Conte took over at Napoli, it was clear the club would make quick, high-impact signings to reshape the squad. With a need to refresh the goalkeeping department after Alex Meret’s inconsistencies, Conte targeted Milinkovic-Savic as a top priority.
According to Tuttomercato, Napoli have now reached a verbal agreement with Torino, and personal terms are expected to be completed shortly. The goal is to have the transfer finalised before the team’s upcoming training camp — a typical Conte move to ensure maximum time for tactical integration.
For Leeds, it’s a major blow. The club now looks unlikely to compete with Napoli on either wages or the promise of Champions League football. After weeks of quiet optimism, Leeds find themselves back at square one in their goalkeeping search.
The Flaw in Milinkovic-Savic — and the Hidden Blessing for Leeds
Despite his pedigree, there’s a reason some clubs — including those in the Premier League — haven’t aggressively pursued Milinkovic-Savic. The biggest concern? His distribution under pressure.
Modern football demands goalkeepers who can play with their feet — especially in teams like Leeds, where manager Daniel Farke employs a possession-based system. Under Farke, the goalkeeper is not just a last line of defence but also the first phase of build-up play. From inviting pressure to playing short passes under the press, composure and vision are critical.
Milinkovic-Savic, though commanding in the air and solid between the posts, has shown weakness when forced to play short or make quick decisions in tight spaces. Serie A is tactically disciplined, but less intense in pressing compared to the Championship. In England’s second tier, a keeper’s every touch is pressured, and a poor pass can quickly lead to a goal.
In that sense, Leeds might have dodged a tactical mismatch, even if the Serb’s reputation made him a desirable target. Instead, the club now pivots to other options — with one Bundesliga name rising up the shortlist.
Robin Zentner: The New Front-Runner?
According to various sources, Robin Zentner, currently at Mainz, has emerged as a serious alternative. With over 150 Bundesliga appearances, the 29-year-old is a proven performer at a high level. Crucially, he possesses a strong command of distribution, making him a more natural fit for Farke’s tactical blueprint.
Zentner is not just a shot-stopper but also a calm presence under pressure, capable of acting as a sweeper when needed. He’s known for his vocal leadership and ability to organize the defence — traits Leeds sorely missed last season.
The move may be eased by Farke’s German connections and knowledge of the Bundesliga market. That existing network has already helped bring in signings during his time at Norwich and now at Leeds. A deal for Zentner could be more achievable both financially and logistically, and with less competition than for a Serie A-based keeper.
What This Means for the Season Ahead
Leeds United’s summer is now delicately balanced. With just weeks until the season kicks off, the club still lacks a clear starting goalkeeper. The Milinkovic-Savic saga highlights both the ambition of the 49ers and the challenge of competing with top European clubs for elite talent.
While missing out on the Serbian may disappoint those looking for a marquee name, the club still has time to act decisively. The goal must remain the same: find a goalkeeper not just with a big name, but one who fits Farke’s style, can handle the intensity of the Championship, and provides reliability across a grueling 46-game season.
The situation also reinforces a broader lesson: that recruitment must be not just ambitious, but strategic. Leeds don’t just need big signings — they need the right signings.
Final Thoughts: The Pressure Is Mounting
The 49ers’ ownership have shown a calm, calculated approach to transfer business. But football doesn’t wait forever. With every passing day, the window of opportunity narrows. Daniel Farke needs reinforcements, and fans need reassurance that this season will be different from the last.
A new goalkeeper must arrive soon. Whether it’s Robin Zentner or another under-the-radar option, Leeds United cannot afford more delays. The club must act with the same urgency that Napoli showed in securing Milinkovic-Savic — because without a solid presence in goal, even the best-laid plans can fall apart.
This summer was supposed to mark the turning point. It still can — but only if Leeds start turning potential into progress, and ambition into action.