Sky Sports pundit and former goalkeeper Paul Robinson has warned Leeds United not to sign Dominik Livakovic despite coming off the back of an ‘excellent’ World Cup with Croatia.
The ex-England and Leeds No 1 spoke amid reports linking the Whites with a move for the Croatian shot-stopper.
According to French media outlet Media Foot, the West Yorkshire club have contacted Livakovic’s representatives over a potential deal.
The same source suggests Illan Meslier will likely leave Elland Road and that Victor Orta has seemingly found his replacement, with Dinamo Zagreb willing to accept an £8.6m offer if it were to arrive in January.
Livakovic has impressed in Qatar, becoming a penalty shootout hero in his nation’s run to the semi-finals – but Robinson is sceptical.
He told MOT Leeds News: “I’ve not seen enough of him and I wouldn’t buy him off the back of one tournament.
“I certainly wouldn’t want Meslier to go.
“I don’t think that would be a January move. If Meslier is to go, it would be assessed at the end of the season.
“If you’re to sign someone off the back of a tournament, it’s a risk.
“Livakovic has done well at the World Cup, he’s done well in the penalties. But I’ve not seen enough of him at a domestic level to think he’d be worthy of a move to Leeds.
“He may well be – but I wouldn’t pass judgement without seeing more and just on one tournament, although it has been an excellent tournament for him.”
TIF Thoughts on Robinson’s comments…
Will Illan Meslier still be at Leeds by next season?Yes
No
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The pundit certainly does seem to be right in what he’s saying about this being a matter that will be dealt with in the summer.
However, Livakovic may not be available by then and Jesse Marsch’s side could miss out on the chance to secure a cost-effective successor to Meslier.
The current No 1 is reportedly attracting attention from Chelsea and with Zagreb’s shot-stopper out of contract at the end of next season, he could certainly be an affordable replacement.
However, it will be interesting to see how Leeds manage this one with Livakovic likely to be hot property following his heroics in Qatar.