Out-of-contract Leeds United goalkeeper set for Arsenal transfer 'pending medical' — YEP 7/7/26

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By Kyle Newbould

The goalkeeper officially became a free agent following the expiration of his Leeds United contract this summer.

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is set to join Arsenal as a free agent.

Meslier officially left Elland Road following the expiration of his contract this summer. Leeds announced the news ahead of publishing their retained list last month with the Frenchman spending last season as third-choice goalkeeper.

Having been replaced by Karl Darlow for the 2024/25 campaign’s Championship promotion run-in, Meslier fell further down the pecking order following Lucas Perri’s arrival from Olympique Lyonnais. The 26-year-old did not play a single competitive game last season, featuring a handful of times for the Under-21s.

BBC Sport reported earlier this summer that Arsenal held an interest in Meslier amid his newfound free agent status. Mikel Arteta’s side are in the market for goalkeeper depth behind clear first-choice David Raya and current back-up Kepa Arrizabalaga.

According to The Athletic, that interest is now set to progress with Meslier on course to join the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists. The two-time Championship title-winner is due for medical tests before joining the North London side.

Meslier replaced Kiko Casilla in the 2019/20 season amid a racism ban for the Spaniard, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side win the Championship. He went on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young goalkeepers but never managed to reach his potential at Leeds.

He remained first-choice for much of Leeds’ three years in the top-flight before being dropped by Sam Allardyce in a doomed attempt to survive. Daniel Farke retained Meslier as his No.1 up until spring 2025, the point at which mistakes became too common and Darlow was drafted in.

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