Arsenal to complete second summer signing after Piero Hincapie imminently

7 Jul 2026 18:02 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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Arsenal are set to sign Illan Meslier, who will join the club on a Bosman deal after leaving Leeds United.

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The Frenchman is available on a free transfer following his departure from Elland Road last week. Meslier was released by Leeds upon the expiration of his contract after falling down the pecking order.

Previously highly regarded, the 26-year-old endured a significant fall from grace due to making repeated mistakes. Last year, Leeds completed a €16 million deal for Lyon shot-stopper Lucas Perri to become the club's new No.1.

However, the goalkeeper position continued to give Daniel Farke headaches, with Perri also not quite being the solution to Leeds' problems. Backup Karl Darlow ended up making 22 appearances in the Premier League.

All the while, Meslier had to look on from afar, even finding himself relegated to the reserve team. Both he and Darlow have now departed Leeds, and both could, surprisingly, complete some major transfers, with the latter recently linked with Man Utd.

Meslier set for Arsenal

Meslier, meanwhile, is on his way to Arsenal, according to Sky Sports. The Gunners are on the verge of wrapping up a deal for the French shot-stopper to nominally become the club's new third-choice goalkeeper.

The logic is that by signing Meslier, Arsenal will be able to send highly rated youngster Tommy Setford out on loan next season to help him get senior football under his belt.

However, this transfer plan is not yet entirely set in stone because Kepa Arrizabalaga is facing an uncertain future. As things stand, the Spaniard will continue as David Raya's deputy.

But it is understood that Kepa would be keen to leave the club if the right opportunity to become a No.1 were to come along. Consequently, it can't be said for certain whether Meslier will be Arsenal's new No.2 or No.3.

What is clear, though, is that it could be a risky deal for the Gunners. Kepa cost them in the Carabao Cup final last season, and Meslier is arguably even more prone to making mistakes.

Should Mikel Arteta decide to rotate his squad or, even worse, should Raya suffer an injury, Arsenal fans surely wouldn't feel entirely comfortable with Meslier between the sticks.

Whatever the case, the 26-year-old will be Arsenal's second summer signing after the North London outfit confirmed that Piero Hincapie's loan from Bayer Leverkusen has been made permanent.

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