This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Arsenal are considering whether to sign Illan Meslier on a free transfer, according to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel.
Most Read on Gooner News
The trusted journalist claims that the Gunners have a “strong interest” in the 26-year-old, who is now without a club after being released by Leeds.
Meslier did not play a single minute of first-team football last campaign, having dropped down to third choice.
Lucas Perri was initially handed the gloves by Leeds boss Daniel Farke before Karl Darlow ended the season in goal.
Why do Arsenal want Meslier?
David Raya’s current understudy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, is keen on playing on a more regular basis, and he does have a release clause worth just £5m in his contract.
It means the former Chelsea shot-stopper will have his pick of clubs, leaving the Gunners with the task of finding a new backup goalkeeper.
Meslier would be the most cost-effective solution, considering he is a free agent, but there are reasons why there isn’t a queue of teams lining up to snap him up.
The former France Under-21 international has made a catalogue of errors in recent years, most notably the howler in Leeds’ defeat to Sunderland during the 2024/25 season.
Get a brand new Arsenal 2026/27 home shirt from Fanatics
Have other keepers been looked at?
Two names have cropped up in recent months: Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi and Olympiakos’s Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Carnesecchi has been tracked by the club’s recruitment team for several years, but the cost of signing him would likely prevent a move being made. Atalanta would reportedly want around €40m (£34.4m).
Tzolakis would be cheaper at £17.5m, but he would still be too expensive to be a reserve keeper. For that reason, Meslier has come under consideration. Any approach for the Frenchman may only be made, though, after Kepa has made a decision on his next club.