Leeds confirmed the news on Wednesday with a club statement: "Leeds United can confirm Illan Meslier will leave the club this summer, upon the expiration of his contract at Elland Road.
"The goalkeeper played a big part in the club's promotion-winning campaigns to the Premier League in both 2019/20 and 2024/25 and departs as a two-time champion. He will always be part of our proud history."
Meslier, 26, arrived from FC Lorient in the summer of 2020 on an initial loan that was made permanent following Leeds's Championship title win under Marcelo Bielsa. He was a key figure in the club's Premier League years and kept his place through the subsequent relegation and return to the top flight.
His final season brought no first-team appearances. The arrival of Lucas Perri in the summer of 2025 — who shared goalkeeping duties with Karl Darlow — removed Meslier entirely from Daniel Farke's plans, and he spent the campaign making occasional appearances at Under-21 level.
His representative, super-agent Pini Zahavi, had been working to arrange a Serie A move during the January window, with both AC Milan and Inter Milan understood to have placed him on their goalkeeping shortlists.
Tuttosport reported that both San Siro clubs were observing Meslier's situation as they planned their own goalkeeping transitions — Yann Sommer at Inter and Mike Maignan at Milan were both out of contract at the end of last season.
Whether those conversations progressed into concrete summer offers is not yet confirmed. Meslier is available on a free transfer and arrives with a substantial Premier League record and a strong pedigree at a relatively young age.
Departing as a free agent represents a significant loss of value for Leeds, who had hoped to sell him for a meaningful fee. His time at the club is nevertheless remembered fondly — he kept 72 clean sheets in those 215 appearances and played a central role in one of the most dramatic eras in Leeds's modern history.