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Arsenal goalkeeper Illan Meslier is on Marseille’s radar ahead of deadline day as they seek a new goalkeeper in the final stretch of the window. Journalist Santi Aouna reports that the 26-year-old is a potential target for the French club, but only if they can trim their squad first. The Ligue 1 club have spent most of this summer selling players off following an edit from owner Frank McCourt. They need to raise funds to balance their books to not only comply with French authorities the DNCG but also UEFA rules as well. Paixao sale could help That’s led to an almost desperate push late in the window to move on any remaining big earners in the squad. The latest of those is Igor Paixao, who is being actively pursued by Sunderland. Indeed, Sport witness reported on that deal today, which is now seen as being ‘imminent’. That could, potentially, give Marseille enough room to focus on incomings. Aouna reports that Arsenal’s Illan Meslier could be one of them. He is one of the French club’s ‘active leads’ for the goalkeeper position in the final stretch of the transfer window. Any move for the 26-year-old would be dependent on further departures, though. Further sales required The journalist states that Marseille still need to trim their squad before they can make concrete progress on the potential deal. Whether that includes Paixao isn’t clear, or he means more beyond that. A deal for Meslier would certainly be eyebrow raising given Marseille have three goalkeepers in their squad at present as it is. And then there’s the fact that Meslier only joined Arsenal on a free transfer this summer after leaving Leeds United. Surely neither party would be that keen on a split just a few weeks later. Of course, alternatively, it does present Arsenal with the chance to make a quick and easy profit on a player who cost nothing just a few weeks ago. For now, it appears to be dependent on Marseille securing more sales. 🚨EXCL: 🔴⚪️🇫🇷 #Ligue1 | ❗️Illan Meslier est l’une des pistes actives de l’OM au poste de gardien en cette fin de mercato. ⏳️ Marseille doit encore dégraisser avant de pouvoir avancer concrètement sur ce dossier. pic.twitter.com/twRnrWj1Eb — Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) August 27, 2026