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

The Athletic reports that Illan Meslier is set to join Arsenal as a free agent, pending a medical. The move would take the former Leeds United goalkeeper to the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.

Meslier left Elland Road after his contract expired this summer, with Leeds announcing it before last month’s retained list. BBC Sport had earlier reported Arsenal’s interest.

Mikel Arteta’s side are seeking extra depth behind clear first-choice David Raya and current back-up Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Meslier spent last season as third-choice at Leeds. He lost his spot to Karl Darlow for the 2024/25 promotion run-in, then dropped further after Lucas Perri arrived from Olympique Lyonnais. The 26-year-old did not make a competitive appearance, featuring only a handful of times for the Under-21s.

He replaced Kiko Casilla during the 2019/20 campaign amid the Spaniard’s racism ban, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side win the Championship. A two-time Championship title-winner, he was regarded as one of the Premier League’s most promising young goalkeepers, though he did not hit his ceiling at Leeds.

Meslier remained first-choice for most of Leeds’ three seasons in the top flight. He was dropped by Sam Allardyce during a doomed relegation battle, and Daniel Farke kept him No.1 until spring 2025, when errors saw Darlow drafted in.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk