Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign former Leeds United goalkeeper Ilan Meslier this summer. The North Londoners are expected to enjoy another active summer transfer window and appear to have completed their first deal before defending their Premier League crown.
According to a reporter from The Athletic, a deal has been signed to bring Meslier on as a free agent after leaving Leeds when his contract expired at the end of last month. According to the report, Meslier will undergo a medical check before joining the reigning Premier League champions, and is expected to join fellow goalkeepers David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the squad.
Meslier made 215 appearances during his six years at Leeds, 107 of which were in the Premier League.
However, the 26-year-old was not offered a contract extension to remain at Elland Road after failing to make a single appearance for the first team last season.
The report also suggests that Meslier’s arrival could pave the way for one of Arsenal’s squad members to leave the club this summer.
Tommy Thetford will reportedly leave the Gunners on a loan deal once Meslier’s transfer is complete.
The youngster made just one first-team appearance for Arsenal last season, coming off the bench in the FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic in February.
This was only the second game Thetford has enjoyed for Arteta’s side since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2024, and he could be set to make further first-team appearances through a loan move during this period.
It remains to be determined what further transfer activity Arsenal will undertake before the end of the summer period.
The Gunners have been strongly linked with approaches for Aston Villa star Morgan Rodgers and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Crupi has also been eyed as a potential target.
In terms of transfers, reports emerged over the weekend that Arsenal have signed Leandro Trossard in a €20m (approximately £17.1m) deal with Besiktas, but Trossard could be set to leave north London as he approaches the final year of his contract.
