Arsenal are reportedly closing in on completing their first signing of the summer transfer window
16:14, 07 Jul 2026Updated 16:34, 07 Jul 2026
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta(Image: Etsuo Hara, Getty Images)
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to sign former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer.
The Gunners are expected to have yet another busy summer transfer window ahead and now appear to have made their move to make their first signing ahead of their Premier League title defence.
As reported by The Athletic, Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Meslier as a free agent following his departure from Leeds, where his contract at Elland Road had expired at the end of last month.
The report claims that Meslier is still expected to undergo a medical to join the reigning Premier League champions, and has been tipped to be behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the goalkeeping hierarchy at the Emirates once a deal is completed.
Meslier made 215 appearances during his six-year spell at Leeds, 107 of which came in the Premier League. However, not a single appearance for the first team last season resulted in the 26-year-old not having a contract extension to remain at Elland Road.
The report goes on to claim that the arrival of Meslier would also result in one member of Arsenal’s squad being allowed to leave the club this summer.
Tommy Setford would reportedly be in line to leave the Gunners on a loan deal once a move for Meslier is completed.
The 20-year-old featured just once for Arsenal’s first team last season, which came as a substitute in an FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic back in February.
That was just the second appearance that Setford has made for Arteta’s team since his arrival from Ajax in the summer of 2024, and he could be in line to receive more first-team minutes with a loan move this window.
Illan Meslier's time at Leeds United is over
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Illan Meslier's time at Leeds United is over(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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It remains to be seen what more business Arsenal could look to complete before the summer transfer window draws to a close.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with moves for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Tommy Setford for Arsenal
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Tommy Setford could be sent out on loan by Arsenal(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi has also been mentioned as a target.
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In terms of departures, news emerged over the weekend that Arsenal had agreed a €20million (£17.1m) deal with Besiktas for Leandro Trossard, who could leave north London as he enters the final year of his contract.