Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Petr Cech, with a £10million fee thought to be agreed between the two clubs. Personal terms should now be a formality and a deal could be announced in the coming days.
Arsenal believe a deal is as good as done and have even allowed goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts to join Swansea as they prepare to bring in Chelsea coach Christophe Lollichon, a coach who has worked with Cech most of his career.
This double signing from Chelsea will give the club a significant boost, and really strengthen the goalkeeping department at the club. Cech will immediately become one of the clubs highest earners on around £100,000 per week, and he will sign a three year deal.
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Arsenal fans will hope Cech at 33 can have a similar effect to what Edwin van der Sar did for Manchester United. The 34 year old joined United late in his career and went on to help them win several major trophies.
Personally I think this deal is up there with signing the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez – he is a world class player, there can be no debate about that. Adding a world class player is always something that completely lifts a club.
Whilst Woijech Szczesny and David Ospina have plenty of talent between them – neither are world class and neither look like they will be any time soon. With Cech 33, Szczesny could still have a future at the club, and learn from the vastly experienced Czech international.
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The Gunners will now look to sell a goalkeeper, with Fenerbache interested in David Ospina. Arsenal may be tempted to sell Szczesny if a good offer arrives and Southampton and Roma are reportedly interested. Selling the Polish keeper instead of Ospina may appeal to Arsene Wenger as the Colombian earns significantly less.
Personally I’d loan out Szczesny for a full season, and try and find a club to pay his wages in full. Ospina is a quality back up keeper for the time being.