Arsenal 'agree first signing of the summer' with Gunners man now set to leave on loan too
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to sign former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer. The Gunners are expected to have another busy summer transfer window, and now appear to have made their first signing ahead of their Premier League title defence.
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Meslier as a free agent following his departure from Leeds, where his contract at Elland Road expired at the end of last month. 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 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.