Latest transfer news and rumours: Interest in Leeds United goalkeeper confirmed, Sunderland chasing Serie A defender

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been confirmed as a transfer target for former club Lorient.

Meslier has spent the last five years at Elland Road, featuring on 214 occasions and keeping an impressive 72 clean sheets during that time.

However, as well as losing his place in the starting lineup, the Frenchman also has less than 12 months remaining on his contract.

Recent reports have suggested that Lorient have been gauging whether to make an attempt to re-sign their former homegrown talent and provide him with a place to kick-start his career.

Manager Olivier Pantaloni has acknowledged to local media that there is truth in the speculation, yet admitted that it would be difficult to negotiate a deal.

He said: "He’s on the list. It would be a huge opportunity, but the situation isn’t straightforward."

With Lorient having earned promotion to France's top flight last season, the assumption is that Leeds will have to lower their valuation of at least £11m for a transfer to become realistic.

Sunderland chasing another new defender

Meanwhile, Sunderland are allegedly keen to add yet another defender to their squad before the end of the summer transfer window.

Over the weekend, the Black Cats recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over West Ham United in their opening Premier League fixture as well as signing Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain.

With Omar Alderete also strengthening Regis Le Bris' options in recent days, it was up in the air how proactive Sunderland would be in the search for another centre-back.

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who was commenting on X, the North-East outfit have submitted an official bid for Bologna's Jhon Lucumi.

The Colombia international is reportedly keen to make the switch to the Stadium of Light but Bologna, so far, are reluctant to give the green light to a sale.

That is despite less than a year remaining on Lucumi's contract, the Italian side seemingly keen to have the 27-year-old in their ranks for their upcoming Europa League campaign.

West Ham make Paqueta decision

As for West Ham, they have seemingly made the decision to retain the services of Lucas Paqueta for another season.

With the Brazil international having recently been cleared of the charges against him for allegedly breaching betting regulations, he is free to focus on the playing side of his career.

However, there has been talk of the 27-year-old being sold before the end of the summer transfer window, West Ham able to recoup a sizeable fee and the player potentially keen on a fresh challenge.

Instead, speaking to talkSPORT over the weekend, West Ham's vice-chair Karren Brady suggested that there will be no transfer activity involving the playmaker.

Brady said: "I think he wants to stay and we definitely want him to stay. So the thing is, he'll be staying.”

Paqueta has just years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium and started the defeat to Sunderland over the weekend.

Manchester City have previously been credited with an interest in the former Lyon star.