Illan Meslier: Arsenal near deal to sign free agent goalkeeper as youngster in line for loan | OneFootball

Gunners add depth between the sticks with ex-Leeds man but move will have knock-on effect for Tommy Setford

Arsenal are on the verge of completing the signing of Illan Meslier on a free transfer.

The Frenchman left Leeds at the end of last month after seven years with the club, and the Gunners have moved to secure his services.

Meslier is yet to undergo a medical but a deal has been agreed with Arsenal and it is set to be wrapped up.

The 26-year-old did not play a single minute for Leeds last season having fallen down the pecking order under Daniel Farke. Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow were preferred.

His final appearance for the club came in March 2025 as Leeds drew 2-2 with Swansea in the Championship.

However, Mikel Arteta and goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana view Meslier as a good option for the Arsenal squad and he is set to be third choice as it stands.

His arrival is not understood to be related to Kepa Arrizabalaga's future, with the Spaniard still viewed as the primary competition for David Raya.

The signing of Meslier is more relevant for Tommy Setford.

Arsenal would be open to letting Setford leave on loan this season and will consider what move is best for his development.

The 20-year-old has only made two senior appearances under Arteta and it is felt that a temporary departure to become first-choice somewhere else would be hugely beneficial.

Arsenal made Piero Hincapie's move a permanent one earlier this summer but Meslier is in line to become the first new arrival of the window.

The Gunners hope that Morgan Rogers will join him. The midfielder is Arsenal's top transfer priority but Aston Villa are demanding a fee in the region of £130million.

Progress on that is unlikely to be made before the end of the World Cup, with Rogers' full focus on England's campaign.

That is a similar story for Leandro Trossard, who Besiktas are pushing to sign.

While Arsenal are expected to sanction Trossard's departure this summer, the green light from the 31-year-old has been put on hold with Belgium reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup.