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Arsenal reach agreement to sign Illan Meslier

By on July 7, 2026

Arsenal are set to sign Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds United, according to The Athletic.

Meslier initially joined Leeds on loan from FC Lorient in the summer of 2019 and played a key role in the club’s promotion from the Championship.

He began as an understudy to Kiko Casilla but was given his chance in February 2020 after the Spaniard received an eight-match suspension. Meslier seized his chance, recording seven clean sheets in 10 league appearances as Leeds secured the Championship title and returned to the Premier League.

He went on to establish himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper for the next five Premier League campaigns. However, a series of inconsistent displays and costly errors during the 2024/25 season saw him lose his place to Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow in the goalkeeping hierarchy.

As a result, the 26-year-old failed to make a single appearance for Leeds last season, with his final outing for the club coming in March 2025 during a 2-2 Championship draw against Swansea City.

After seven years at Elland Road, Meslier left the club at the end of last month and is now close to joining Arsenal.

This is according to The Athletic, which reports that the Premier League champions are set to sign Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds.

Bargain

Pending medical formalities, the Frenchman’s arrival would allow academy goalkeeper Tommy Setford to move out on loan for next season, according to the report.

The Athletic adds that the Gunners decided to swoop for the 6ft 3in shot-stopper after identifying a market opportunity to sign him, following recommendations from Mikel Arteta’s goalkeeping coach, Iñaki Caña.

While the report does not state whether Meslier is a direct replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, there remains an expectation that the Spanish international could depart the Emirates this summer.

In a separate report, BBC claims that the former France U21 international was at Arsenal’s training ground with his agents to thrash out the final details of the deal, with medical tests scheduled for Tuesday.

The value of having a dependable second-choice goalkeeper cannot be overstated, particularly after neither of Arsenal’s backup keepers could replicate David Raya’s performances when called upon in domestic cup competitions.

While Meslier is not at the same world-class level as Raya, he would be eager to impress whenever given the opportunity and could develop into a reliable deputy if he could reduce errors in his game and improve his confidence.