{"id":15352,"date":"2026-07-08T11:52:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=15352"},"modified":"2026-07-08T11:52:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:52:48","slug":"revealed-how-close-birmingham-came-to-signing-illan-meslier-before-arsenal-approach-as-chelsea-youngster-signs-new-six-year-deal-ahead-of-loan-switch-to-portuguese-giants-window-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=15352","title":{"rendered":"Revealed: How close Birmingham came to signing Illan Meslier before Arsenal approach &#8211; as Chelsea youngster signs new six-year deal ahead of loan switch to Portuguese giants: WINDOW WATCH"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"js-article-text\" wp_automatic_readability=\"82.612319864368\">\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>Click HERE to read all of yesterday&#8217;s developments &#8211; including Arsenal closing in on ex-Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>See more Daily Mail on Google &#8211; save us as a Preferred Source<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"author-section byline-plain\">By SIMON JONES <\/p>\n<p class=\"byline-section\"><span class=\"article-timestamp article-timestamp-published\"> <span class=\"article-timestamp-label\">Published:<\/span> <time datetime=\"2026-07-08T09:47:15+0100\">  09:47 BST, 8 July 2026 <\/time> <\/span>  | <span class=\"article-timestamp article-timestamp-updated\"> <span class=\"article-timestamp-label\">Updated:<\/span> <time datetime=\"2026-07-08T12:17:17+0100\">  12:17 BST, 8 July 2026 <\/time> <\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <!-- ad: https:\/\/mads.dailymail.co.uk\/v8\/de\/sport\/football\/article\/other\/para_top.html --> <!-- CWV --><link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/mol-fe\/static\/mol-fe-design-system\/latest\/designTokens.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/><!--(if !IE)><!--> <link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/mol-fe\/static\/mol-fe-async-bundle\/11.87.1\/articleDefer.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/> <!--<!(endif)--> <!--(if IE)>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/1.17.0\/registration--.css\" media=\"screen\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/>\n<!(endif)--> <!--(if !IE)><!--> <link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/18.5.1\/registration--.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/> <!--<!(endif)--><!--(if IE)>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/1.17.0\/all-ie8-9--.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/1.17.0\/all1-ie8-9--.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/>\n<!(endif)--> <!--(if !IE)><!--> <link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/mol-fe\/static\/mol-fe-sync-bundle\/16.10.0\/desktop.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/> <link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/18.5.1\/all--.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/><link href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/18.5.1\/all1--.css\" media=\"all\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" \/> <!--<!(endif)--> <!--(if IE 8)>\n\n<!(endif)--> <!--(if IE 9)>\n\n<!(endif)--> <!--(if IE)>\n\n<!(endif)--> <!--(if !IE)> -->  <!--<!(endif)--><!-- SiteCatalyst code version: H.20.3.\n    Copyright 1997-2009 Omniture, Inc. More info available at\n    http:\/\/www.omniture.com -->  <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- End SiteCatalyst code version: H.20.3. -->  <!--(if IE)>\n\n<!(endif)--> <!--(if !IE)> -->   <!--<!(endif)--><!--(if IE)>\n  \n  <noscript><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/gunther\/gunther-2159\/video_bundle--.css\"><\/noscript>\n  \n<!(endif)--> <!--(if !IE)> --> <link rel=\"preload\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/videoplayer\/7.17.0\/styles\/mol-fe-videoplayer.min.css\" as=\"style\" onload=\"this.rel=\" stylesheet=\"\" \/> <noscript><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/static\/videoplayer\/7.17.0\/styles\/mol-fe-videoplayer.min.css\" \/><\/noscript>  <!-- <!(endif)-->   <!-- CWV --><\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\" wp_automatic_readability=\"63.323322209863\">\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-italic\">It&#8217;s that time of the year again &#8211; the <\/span><span class=\"mol-style-italic\">transfer window\u00a0is now open until September 1 and it&#8217;s sure to be a busy period with clubs looking to make big signings ahead of next season. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-italic\">Here are today&#8217;s latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mol-para-with-font mol-style-subhead\">Blues miss out to Arsenal on Meslier<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Birmingham are understood to have offered to make Illan Meslier their new number one at St Andrews but couldn&#8217;t match the terms on offer at Arsenal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The former Leeds United goalkeeper was at Arsenal&#8217;s training ground on Tuesday prior to signing his contract and he will be understudy to David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga although the latter is considering offers and can leave for \u00a35m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tommy Setford will be allowed to leave on loan if Kepa stays.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Meslier, 26, was a free agent after his contract expired at Leeds.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mol-para-with-font mol-style-subhead\">Donovan heads from Bees to Blades<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Brentford&#8217;s Romelle Donovan has joined Sheffield United on a season loan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The 19-year-old attacking midfielder joined the Bees from Birmingham last June and made nine first team appearances in all competitions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Blades boss Chris Wilder said: \u2018He&#8217;s an exciting player with a bright future and we&#8217;re delighted to have been entrusted with the next stage of his development.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Brentford have signed Jaidon Anthony from Burnley and will add Callum Wilson after his contract expired at West Ham.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mol-para-with-font mol-style-subhead\">Arbeloa has sights set on Real stars<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">New Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa is keen to explore bringing players from Real Madrid to Craven Cottage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Arbeloa, who departed Real in May, has signed a three-year deal with Fulham.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Left back Fran Garcia is one option who the Spanish giants have made available for sale but Fulham face competition from Real Betis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\" style=\"style\" wp_automatic_readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap\"> <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-db426b23a89e8061\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/07\/08\/10\/109875603-15961651-image-a-1_1783502116332.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Alvaro Arbeloa was named Fulham boss in the early hours of Wednesday morning\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Alvaro Arbeloa was named Fulham boss in the early hours of Wednesday morning<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Argentine attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono is another possible on loan, though there are a number of clubs keen to take the 18-year-old who cost Madrid \u00a340m from River Plate a year ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Arbeloa worked closely with Madrid&#8217;s fringe players as well as their first team having been coach of their B team Castilla also.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mol-para-with-font mol-style-subhead\">Derry signs new deal before heading out on loan <\/h2>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Jesse Derry has signed a new six-year contract with Chelsea prior to joining Sporting Lisbon on loan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The 19-year-old, who made his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest last season, only to be forced off after a clash of heads with Zach Abbott, had interest from a number of clubs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"artSplitter mol-img-group\" style=\"style\" wp_automatic_readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"mol-img\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap\"> <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-3d59c720d8959fd5\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/07\/08\/09\/109874575-15961651-image-a-1_1783500194292.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Jesse Derry (right) has committed his future to Chelsea\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Jesse Derry (right) has committed his future to Chelsea<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He and his agents will travel to Portugal tomorrow ahead of completing terms on his loan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold mol-style-italic\">How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>            <!-- ad: https:\/\/mads.dailymail.co.uk\/v8\/de\/sport\/football\/article\/other\/inread_player.html --><\/p>\n<div class=\"column-content cleared\">\n<div class=\"shareArticles\">\n<h3 class=\"social-links-title\">Share or comment on this article:<br \/>\n                        Revealed: How close Birmingham came to signing Illan Meslier before Arsenal approach &#8211; as Chelsea youngster signs new six-year deal ahead of loan switch to Portuguese giants: WINDOW WATCH<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <ad-slot position=\"smart_feed\"><\/ad-slot><\/p>\n<p>            <ad-slot position=\"after_article\"><\/ad-slot><\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Click HERE to read all of yesterday&#8217;s developments &#8211; including Arsenal closing in on ex-Leeds&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15352\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}