Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech looks poised to seal an exit from Stamford Bridge after a frustrating time playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois last season.
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The Express have identified Jose Mourinho’s three primary candidates to replace the Czech Republic international, including one of Louis van Gaal’s potential targets to succeed Real Madrid-bound David De Gea as Manchester United’s No.1.
The newspaper state that Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the Gunners, are interested in Cech’s signature – and Mourinho has conceded defeat in tempting the Blues veteran stay amid reports of a replacement wish list.
Here’s are the Premier League’s three targets, according to the Express:
3. Robert Green – QPR
The former West Ham United stopper’s stock has fallen tremendously ever since his infamous blunder at the 2014 World Cup in South Africa.
Green was almost powerless to stop a weak Hoops side from relegation last season, but Jose Mourinho is still rumoured to believe that the 35-year-old should continue playing in the Premier League.
Last month the Blues were said to be close to agreeing a £2 million deal for the QPR goalkeeper [via the London Evening Standard], but it was later suggested that he was considering running down the final year of his Loftus Road contract in the Championship [via the Mirror].
He still, however, remains on the radar.
2. John Ruddy – Norwich City
This isn’t the first transfer window in which the England international has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Back in the summer of 2013, Chelsea allegedly made a move, but the keeper publicly revealed that he rejected their advances to avoid damaging his chances of making the 2014 World Cup squad [via TalkSPORT].
Despite his excellent form, Roy Hodgson overlooked Ruddy in his Three Lions squad; yet the disappointment hasn’t affected his performances.
He helped the Canaries earn promotion to the Premier League, and has continued to attract the interest of the English champions, the Express state.
1. Asmir Begovic – Stoke City
Jose Mourinho is reportedly after a goalkeeper that not only replaces Petr Cech, but can pose a significant challenge to Thibaut Courtois’s position as the Blues’ No. 1.
Begovic is rumoured to be the top target to fulfil the desired role in west London [via the Daily Mail].
The Bosnian stopper is also rumoured to be on Manchester United’s radar [via the Daily Star] with David De Gea set to seal a move to Real Madrid soon, so his signature may prove to be harder to obtain than those of Ruddy and Green.
