Leeds United are set to sign Lorient goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a season-long loan deal, according to Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton.

The Whites are on the lookout for a new shot-stopper before Thursday afternoon's transfer deadline, following the recent departure of Bailey Peacock-Farrell to Premier League side Burnley.

The 22-year-old started off last season as Leeds' number one, but saw his game-time become limited in the second half of the campaign after the arrival of Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid.

But the Whites will now look to provide back-up to Casilla ahead of the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign, with Meslier set to undergo a medical at Elland Road ahead of a season-long loan move from Lorient.

Meslier is a 19-year-old French goalkeeper who has made 30 first-team appearances for the French Ligue 2 side - he has also made four appearances for the France Under-20 national side.

The young shot-stopper is regarded as one of the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in the French leagues, but has fallen behind fellow goalkeeper Paul Nardi in the pecking order at Lorient.

Leeds started their season off with a 3-1 win over Bristol City at the weekend, as Marcelo Bielsa looks to strengthen his squad before Thursday's deadline.

The Verdict

Meslier looks to have racked up a lot of appearances for Lorient at such a young age, so there is no reason to suggest why he can't be a real success during his time at Leeds.

He will join knowing that he will play back-up to Kiko Casilla, who is the preferred option for Bielsa, but if he trains well and keeps impressing Bielsa, he could well break into the starting line-up.

Leeds fans will have probably wanted to see a more experienced option come through the doors, but there really would be no point in spending high wages on a goalkeeper who has been there and done it.