With the January transfer window approaching, Arsenal could be active in strengthening their squad.
The Gunners have a few areas that require reinforcement, including the need for a new striker. Recent links have connected them to Alexander Isak, and a new goalkeeper may also be on their radar.
Arsenal had considered signing Joan Garcia in the summer, but the deal fell through, and while Neto joined on loan, the Brazilian is not viewed as a long-term option.
Steve Kay recently spoke on KS1 TV about Arsenal’s potential January transfer moves, mentioning that he has heard Illan Meslier of Leeds United could be a target for the Gunners.
While Kay noted that he hasn’t received this information from a top source, it is a situation worth monitoring.
“Is there any other transfer stories about at the moment?” Kay was asked.
“There’s a few. Arsenal are looking at a goalkeeper. Possibly a goalkeeper could come in in January. I have been given a name. The Leeds goalkeeper is someone I’ve been told. I need to look into that. It’s not from one of my top sources if you like, but it’s one we’re keeping an eye on. Illan Meslier,” Kay said.
Meslier is a goalkeeper with both strengths and weaknesses.
The £5m-rated player has made some errors in the past and has faced significant criticism. However, he is a skilled shot-stopper, and throughout his time in the Premier League, he often played behind a team under heavy pressure.
Under Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch, Leeds’ aggressive playing style led to numerous shots on goal, and while Meslier conceded many, he also managed to save several.
Notably, former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has defended Meslier against some of the criticism he received during his Premier League career.
“When we played Leeds away Meslier has made five or six saves first half but they were 3-0 down,” Ramsdale said.
“Nobody was mentioning his saves, they mentioned one of the goals which he might have done better for.
“If you get 10 shots at you, more times than not you’re going to let one in, but that’s what people always talk about. That’s for another day, but that winds me up.”
Meslier is far from a bad goalkeeper, and both Tottenham and Manchester United have previously shown interest in him.
He has informed Leeds that he plans to leave if they fail to secure promotion by the end of the season, as he has aspirations of becoming France’s number one goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup.
However, if Leeds are promoted, Meslier is open to negotiating a new contract.
Rennes are interested in him, but Meslier believes he has the potential to join a top-tier club. He does want to be a first-choice goalkeeper at his next destination, which could pose a challenge at Arsenal due to David Raya’s position as the current number one.
