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Arsenal 'agree first summer signing' with Mikel Arteta now poised to let another leave
Jul 07 2026 16:48 · By Mark Wakefield/Sport Central Audience Writer · 34 Reads
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Arsenal have reportedly secured an agreement to bring in former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer.
The Gunners are expected to enjoy another active summer transfer window and now seem to have completed their opening signing ahead of their Premier League title defence.
According to The Athletic , Arsenal have finalised arrangements to sign Meslier as a free agent after his exit from Leeds, where his deal at Elland Road ran out at the end of last month.
The report suggests that Meslier is still due to complete a medical before joining the reigning Premier League champions, and has been tipped to sit behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the goalkeeping pecking order at the Emirates once a transfer is finalised.
Meslier registered 215 appearances throughout his six year stint at Leeds, 107 of which arrived in the Premier League. Nevertheless, failing to make a single first team appearance last season led to the 26-year-old not receiving a contract extension to stay at Elland Road.
The report further suggests that the signing of Meslier would also lead to the departure of one member of Arsenal's squad this summer.
Tommy Setford would reportedly be set to exit the Gunners on a loan deal once a switch for Meslier is wrapped up.
The 20-year-old featured just once for Arsenal's senior side last season, which arrived as a substitute in an FA Cup triumph over Wigan Athletic back in February.
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That marked only the second appearance that Setford has made for Arteta's side since his summer 2024 switch from Ajax, and he could be set to gain additional first-team experience through a loan departure this window.
It remains unclear what further business Arsenal might seek to conclude before the summer transfer window closes.
The Gunners have been strongly linked with approaches for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi has also been mooted as a potential target.
Regarding exits, reports surfaced over the weekend that Arsenal had struck a €20million (£17.1m) agreement with Besiktas for Leandro Trossard , who could leave north London as he enters the final year of his contract.
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