Arsenal could suddenly do something for the first time since 1980 if transfer materialises
Arsenal are set for a busy final few days in the summer transfer window.
Bruno Guimaraes has been the marquee signing up to now, while Ezri Konsa completed his move from Aston Villa last week.
Christos Tzolis was signed as a new attacking option following the departure of Leandro Trossard. Gabriel Martinelli is now also set for the exit door.
But the most unusual transfer development of the summer has come out today, and it involves Arsenal’s first signing of the window.
Arsenal could sell Illan Meslier already
Illan Meslier joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Leeds on July 9th — just 49 days ago.
He was expected to provide reliable third-choice goalkeeper cover, with the whole logic of the signing allow Tommy Setford to go out on loan to aid his development.
Given his fairly impressive pre-season cameos, it also seemed as if Arsenal might have recruited more dependable backup to David Raya than Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Now, there’s a chance Meslier could leave already, with Marseille targeting him in the final stretch of the window.
Whether any deal would be a loan or permanent transfer is unclear at the moment, but the fact it’s being discussed is quite remarkable since he only signed seven weeks ago.
If it does materialise, that would surely go down as Mikel Arteta’s strangest signing.
Arsenal have signed a player and sold him in the same window just once in their entire history.
That was in 1980, when Clive Allen was signed from QPR and then included in a swap deal for Kenny Sansom just months later.
If Meslier joins Marseille before Tuesday’s deadline, it would be only the second time Arsenal have done this, and the first time in 46 years.
Kepa was rumoured to want to leave Arsenal this summer but he now looks likely to stay.
Perhaps Meslier will be loaned out for a year and become second choice next season and Kepa moves on.
Either way, it’s a strange situation and it could result in a historically unusual transfer.
