Arsenal Close to Signing Illan Meslier on Free Transfer as Second Summer Addition

Arsenal are on the brink of completing their second signing of the summer transfer window, with former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier set to join the club on a free transfer. The 26-year-old Frenchman became a free agent last week after Leeds released him upon the expiration of his contract. Meslier had fallen out of favour at Elland Road following a series of high-profile errors, eventually losing his place to Lucas Perri, who was signed for €16 million from Lyon last year. Even Perri failed to fully solve Daniel Farke's goalkeeping issues, and veteran backup Karl Darlow ended up making 22 appearances in the Premier League last season. Meslier, meanwhile, was relegated to the reserves and has now left the club alongside Darlow, who has surprisingly been linked with a move to Manchester United. According to sources close to the deal, Meslier is on his way to Arsenal to serve as a backup option. The initial plan sees him slot in as the third-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga, allowing highly rated academy product Tommy Setford to go out on loan for regular senior minutes. However, that hierarchy is not yet set in stone. Kepa is reportedly keen to secure a starting role elsewhere, and if he leaves, Meslier could become the direct deputy to Raya. It is a move that carries some risk for Mikel Arteta. Kepa’s costly error in the Carabao Cup final last season is still fresh in memory, and Meslier’s reputation for inconsistency is arguably even more concerning. Should Raya be sidelined by injury or rest, Arsenal fans may have reason to feel uneasy with Meslier in goal. Either way, the former Leeds man will become Arsenal’s second summer arrival, following the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen after his loan spell was made official.