Arsenal have completed the free transfer of former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year, as the Premier League champions begin to reshape their squad for the defence of their title.
The 26-year-old Frenchman made 215 appearances across seven seasons for the Yorkshire club, keeping 70 clean sheets. But after losing his place as number one at Leeds and being out of contract this summer, he became available on a free transfer. Meslier arrives as third-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya, who won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2025-26 with 19 clean sheets in 37 games, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, with doubts over Kepa’s future heading into next season, Meslier could be promoted into the number two role – a move that is expected to send 20-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford out on loan this summer.
“Arsenal sign Illan Meslier on a free and reportedly beat rivals to Tottenham teenager Elijah Upson.”
“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.”
Mikel Arteta’s side ended a league title drought of more than two decades last season and also reached the Champions League final. Now the focus is on retaining the crown, and the club has already made Piero Hincapie’s move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent. According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are also set to sign 18-year-old centre-half Elijah Upson from rivals Tottenham. The son of former England international Matthew Upson, Upson made 31 appearances for Spurs in the Under-18 Premier League and can also operate as a wing-back or right-back. The report says Upson had offers from Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco, but the Gunners appear to have secured his services.
Meanwhile, speculation linking Arsenal with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior appears to be over. As reported by Spanish outlet AS, Vinicius will meet with Real Madrid chiefs at the end of July to iron out a new deal. His current contract expires in June 2027, and the club is no longer concerned about his situation, despite earlier claims that he was unhappy at the Bernabeu.