Arsenal have reportedly secured an agreement to bring in former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer, marking their first signing of the transfer window. The reigning Premier League champions are expected to be active in the market as they prepare to defend their title.
Meslier to join as free agent
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have finalised arrangements to sign Meslier as a free agent after his contract at Leeds United expired at the end of last month. The 26-year-old French goalkeeper is still due to complete a medical before the transfer is officially confirmed.
Meslier registered 215 appearances during his six-year stint at Leeds, 107 of which came in the Premier League. However, he failed to make a single first-team appearance last season, leading to Leeds not offering him a contract extension.
Goalkeeping pecking order at the Emirates
Once the transfer is finalised, Meslier is expected to sit behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the goalkeeping hierarchy at the Emirates Stadium. His arrival is primarily seen as providing depth rather than challenging for a starting spot.
Setford set for loan departure
The signing of Meslier is also reported to pave the way for the departure of another Arsenal goalkeeper. Tommy Setford, 20, is expected to leave the club on a loan deal once Meslier's switch is wrapped up.
Setford featured just once for Arsenal's senior side last season, appearing as a substitute in an FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic in February. That was only his second appearance for the club since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2024. The loan move is intended to provide him with valuable first-team experience.
Further Arsenal business this summer
It remains unclear what other business Arsenal might pursue before the transfer window closes. The Gunners have been strongly linked with approaches for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, and Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
Regarding potential exits, reports emerged over the weekend that Arsenal had agreed a €20 million (£17.1 million) deal with Besiktas for Leandro Trossard, who is entering the final year of his contract.
