Arsenal consider shock transfer as Arteta favourite pushes for summer exit

1 Jul 2026 08:03 BST | 4 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Arsenal could see one of Mikel Arteta’s favourite stars depart the club this summer, with his replacement already being lined up in a surprising deal.

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The Gunners are looking to add to their squad after finally ending their Premier League title drought, with the aim of also going one step further next season following their Champions League final heartbreak.

While Arsenal’s priority is to strengthen in attack, with Morgan Rogers considered the club’s top target, work is also being done in other areas of the pitch, such as in goal.

According to Sky Sports, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future is ‘not totally assured’ this summer, with the Spanish shot stopper open to leaving the Emirates in search of a new challenge as a number one keeper elsewhere.

Current ETV

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Arsenal

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Arsenal

ETV Range

€5.4M - €7.3M

Arrizabalaga only joined Arsenal last summer but the 31-year-old made just one Premier Leage appearance on the final day of the season, having been used as David Raya’s backup for the entire campaign.

Should Arrizabalaga leave, Arsenal are said to be keeping tabs on Illan Meslier, with the 26-year-old available and emerging as a surprise target, having left Leeds United on a free transfer this summer.

Arsenal consider Meslier to replace Arrizabalaga as number two goalkeeper

Arrizabalaga has two years remaining on his contract, having signed for Arsenal from Chelsea for €6 million last summer after a positive loan spell with Bournemouth, with Arteta being keen on bringing in a player that he has long admired.

© IMAGO - Illan Meslier is a free agent after leaving Leeds.

The Spaniard featured 12 times in all competitions for Arsenal but ten of those were in domestic cup competitions and, with Raya having a standout season, there is no serious prospect of Arrizabalaga dislodging his international compatriot as Arteta’s first choice.

With Aston Villa looking to demand more than €150m for Rogers, Arsenal are keen to be efficient with their budget and they could target Meslier after the expiry of his contract at Leeds.

Meslier joined Leeds in 2019 and was highly-rated as a youngster, having been the club’s first choice goalkeeper in three Premier League seasons, however poor form and a number of errors led to him eventually losing his place in the team and being released.

Arsenal will wait and see if interest emerges in Arrizabalaga before making any moves in the goalkeeping department, with attention still focused on Rogers as well as the pursuit of a midfielder after seeing Newcastle reject a bid for Bruno Guimaraes last week.

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