Illan Meslier ‘to join’ Arsenal on free, pending medical | OneFootball

Illan Meslier is set to join Arsenal on a free transfer, pending medical tests, after leaving Leeds at the end of his contract. The Athletic reports he is on course to sign for the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.

BBC Sport reported earlier this summer that Arsenal were interested once Meslier became a free agent. Arsenal are seeking extra depth behind first-choice David Raya and current back-up Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Leeds confirmed Meslier’s exit ahead of last month’s retained list, with the 26-year-old third choice throughout last season. He had fallen down the pecking order after a difficult spell.

He was replaced by Karl Darlow for the 2024/25 Championship promotion run-in, then slipped further following Lucas Perri’s arrival from Olympique Lyonnais. Meslier did not play a competitive game last season, featuring only a handful of times for the Under-21s.

Meslier took over from Kiko Casilla in 2019/20 during the Spaniard’s racism ban, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side win the Championship. He later emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising young goalkeepers, though his potential went unrealised at Leeds.

He remained first choice for most of the club’s three seasons in the top flight before Sam Allardyce dropped him in a failed bid to avoid relegation. Daniel Farke kept faith until spring 2025, when errors prompted Darlow’s recall.

Source: yorkshireevenpost.co.uk