Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wants out of Stamford Bridge after a frustrating season playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois, and is set to ask owner Roman Abramovich to sanction a transfer to Arsenal.
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Jose Mourinho last month confessed that he was almost powerless to stand in the way of the Czech Republic international moving to a Premier League rival [via The Guardian], and the ongoing transfer saga is rumoured to be nearing completion.
According to Daily Mail journalist Rob Draper, Cech’s transfer to the Emirates Stadium could be confirmed next week. He tweeted his belief that the stopper will ask Chelsea owner Abramovich to grant him a switch to north London, and it is expected that the Russian businessman will agree:
The Stamford Bridge veteran has also been linked with a summer transfer to Manchester United, as Louis van Gaal draws up a shortlist of top replacements to Real Madrid-bound David De Gea [via Manchester Evening News].
Los Blancos are said to be close to agreeing a deal for the Spanish stopper and have given Iker Casillas permission to leave the Santiago Bernabeu [via the Daily Mail]. Arsenal, however, are leading the chase for his signature following reports that Cech is keen on staying put in London to avoid unsettling his family [via Sky Sports].
Despite Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois having impressed as Jose Mourinho’s new No.1, Cech remains a top-class goalkeeper and it’s little wonder that the Portuguese manager would rather the 33-year-old not move to an English rival. In seven domestic appearances, Cech kept five clean sheets – his ability combined with his experience could make him a steal in the summer window.