Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds United, while Manchester United are closing in on a second summer signing as Youri Tielemans arrives for a medical.
Meslier, 26, has joined the Premier League champions on a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year, making 215 appearances and keeping 70 clean sheets in seven seasons at Elland Road. The French goalkeeper lost his place as number one at Leeds and was out of contract this summer, becoming available on a free transfer.
“Arsenal sign Illan Meslier on free transfer from Leeds; Tielemans set for Manchester United medical.”
“I’m very happy and very proud to join Arsenal,” Meslier said. “I cannot wait to show the love that I’ve got for this badge, and I cannot wait to win trophies with this team, because this is a club that needs to lift trophies again and again.”
He arrives as third-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya, who won the Premier League Golden Glove for 2025-26 with 19 clean sheets in 37 games as Arsenal won the title, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, with uncertainty over Arrizabalaga’s future, Meslier could be promoted to number two, which would likely send 20-year-old Tommy Setford out on loan this summer. BBC Sport was the first to reveal Arsenal’s interest in Meslier on 30 June.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are moving quickly to seal their second summer signing. Youri Tielemans is understood to be jetting in for a medical, with the experienced Belgian set to seal a move north in the coming days. The news comes after United completed the £50m signing of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea, their first addition of the window.