Arsenal new summer signing already linked with shock exit

Updated: 27 Aug 2026 15:53 BST | 4 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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One of Arsenal’s summer signings could already be heading for the exit door just one month after his arrival after emerging interest from a rival club.

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The Gunners have brought in five players this summer, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis arriving, as well as the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie.

However, the first new face that Mikel Arteta brought in this summer has already been linked with a move away after Marseille took interest in goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Current ETV

Illan Meslier

Arsenal

Illan Meslier

Arsenal

ETV Range

€7.1M - €9.6M

Meslier joined Arsenal on a free transfer in July after leaving Leeds, with the 26-year-old set to provide competition to David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.

According to Footmercato, Marseille have identified Meslier as one of their top targets, having seen last season’s first choice goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli leave for Manchester City this summer.

Rulli’s departure has left Marseille with just one goalkeeper on their books and the Ligue 1 giants are said to be ‘very impressed’ by Meslier’s profile, although they may need to trim their squad and lower their wage bill before making a concrete offer to Arsenal.

Arsenal handed chance to turn quick profit on Meslier after Marseille interest

Meslier was brought in as a third-choice goalkeeper for Arsenal, having made more than 200 appearances for Leeds including three seasons as a starter in the Premier League before he was released in June.

© IMAGO - Illan Meslier could leave Arsenal already.

The Frenchman has not featured for Arsenal as yet, having been left out of the squad for the Community Shield as well as the Premier League opener last week, meaning a move to Marseille could prove tempting.

Arsenal’s stance over Meslier’s departure is not clear but they may welcome the chance to make a quick profit on a player not considered a key figure of the first team, even if it leaves them with a gap to fill in the squad before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Tommy Setford could be promoted to third choice if Meslier does leave, although part of the reason Arsenal brought the ex-Leeds man in is so that they could loan their young goalkeeper out, while it remains to be seen whether Marseille can finance a move in the first place.