Arsenal set to sign goalkeeper Illan Meslier after Leeds exit

Meslier is simply a escaped cause aft leaving Leeds astatine the extremity of the campaign. Michael Regan/Getty Images

Arsenal are acceptable to motion goalkeeper Illan Meslier pursuing his exit from Leeds United.

Meslier is simply a free agent, having near Elland Road astatine the extremity of the campaign aft 215 appearances crossed 7 seasons.

The accomplishment of Meslier, pending a nine medical, would perchance let England Under-21 goalkeeper Tommy Setford to permission the Emirates connected loan.

Setford has made 2 elder appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side; against Preston North End successful the Carabao Cup successful 2024-25, and arsenic a substitute successful the FA Cup 4th circular against Wigan Athletic successful February, replacing Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 20-year-old did not concede a extremity successful either match.

Meslier, 26, had been Leeds’s undisputed No 1 successful each of the erstwhile 5 campaigns, but patchy signifier during 2024-25 led to caput manager Daniel Farke dropping him from the side.

The Frenchman’s last quality for Leeds proved to beryllium a 2-2 gully with Swansea City successful March 2025.

Meslier joined Leeds connected an archetypal indebtedness from French nine Lorient successful summertime 2019 and helped them to triumph promotion from the Championship. He was Kiko Casilla’s lawman until February 2020, erstwhile the Spaniard was suspended for 8 games for racially abusing Charlton Athletic’s Jonathan Leko.

Meslier impressed, keeping 7 cleanable sheets successful 10 league games arsenic Leeds won the Championship and helium remained archetypal prime for a further four-and-a-half seasons.

David Raya and Kepa are the 2 first-team goalkeepers successful Arteta’s squad.

Signing makes consciousness for Setford development

Arsenal person moved rapidly to motion Meslier aft spotting a marketplace accidental to onshore a goalkeeper with sizeable Premier League quality connected a escaped transfer.

While the Frenchman fits the modern illustration of goalkeeper specified by manager Arteta and goalkeeping manager Inaki Cana, his acquisition should besides alteration 20-year-old goalkeeper Setford to spell retired connected loan.

Arsenal recognise that England U-21 planetary Setford needs much opportunities to play and develop.