Petr Cech to Arsenal looks like a pretty unlikely deal of the upcoming summer transfer window, but if the Chelsea goalkeeper has his way, it could well turn into reality.
Cech is expected to leave Stamford Bridge after 11 hugely successful years with Chelsea, owing to the fact that Thibaut Courtois is now the undisputed number one goalkeeper.
The Czech international, who will only turn 33 in May – still young enough for a goalkeeper – is too good a player to sit on the bench for another season, and therefore, the rumour mill has gone into high gear over his possible next destination.
Arsenal have been linked with Cech in the past and it is being reported that Arsene Wenger will try and make a move for the experienced custodian in the summer. Whether Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, not the greatest of fans of Wenger, will allow that to happen remains to be seen. But reports do suggest the club and the manager will not stand in Cech's way, no matter which club he chooses, as a mark of respect for the stellar service he has given over the past decade or so.
PSG are the other main contenders for Cech's signature, and according to the Daily Mirror, the fight for the Chelsea goalkeeper will be between the French champions and Arsenal.
Cech would prefer to sign for Arsenal, as it will allow him to stay in London, his and his family's home for many a year now. That should give Wenger the advantage over PSG, who are looking to get in a goalkeeper that can usurp Salvatore Sirigu from the number one spot.
According to the report, PSG are willing to match, or even better, whatever Arsenal are willing to offer Cech in wages, and make him their marquee goalkeeper for next season.
While Chelsea selling one of their stars to Arsenal remains in doubt, what could also be questioned is whether Wenger will deem it necessary to pay big bucks to sign a goalkeeper – Chelsea are reportedly asking for a transfer fee of £10 million, and the goalkeeper will no doubt expect wages well in excess of £100,000 a week – when he already has David Ospina, who has done nothing wrong since signing for the club last summer from Nice, Wojciech Szczesny and Emiliano Martinez.
While Szczesny has not had the greatest of seasons, his talent is undoubted and he does have age on his side, with Martinez also putting in a few good performances when given a chance earlier this season.
However, if Wenger sees the opportunity to sign Cech (still a huge if) as too good to pass up, then it is likely that one of Szczesny or Martinez, if not both, will be sold as a result.
