Man Utd Blow As Arsenal Open Formal Talks Over £10m Deal For Petr Cech

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Arsenal open talks with Chelsea over Petr Cech….

Arsenal have stolen a march on Manchester United after opening formal talks with Chelsea over a potential £10m deal for want-away goalkeeper Petr Cech, according to reports today.

Cech is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after losing his first team spot to Thibaut Courtois and Chelsea have reluctantly agreed to sell the long-serving Czech international.

Jose Mourinho has tried his best to keep the 32-year-old happy but Cech has seen the majority of his first team action come in the domestic cup competitions and after making just six league starts all season, the experienced shot-stopper has confirmed he’s not prepared to spend another season as a No.2.

The uncertainty over his future has led to interest from several top clubs throughout Europe with Arsenal and Manchester United among those understood to be showing a keen interest, and Cech’s agent Viktor Kolar admitted recently that the English duo are two of the clubs the keeper would like to move to this summer.

“Arsenal, United and PSG are all top clubs. And Petr would like to join one of them – definitely.” Kolar is quoted as saying by the Mirror

However, it seems Arsenal have now stolen a march on United as the Mirror are reporting today that the Gunners have now opened formal talks with Chelsea over a potential £10m deal.

The newspaper suggests that PSG have also made their interest known to the Blues but Cech is believed to prefer a move to Arsenal as he and his family are settled in the London area, so a switch to the Emirates is now edging closer.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for another goalkeeper with Wojciech Szczesny’s future in serious doubt after losing his place back in January and Cech would be a sensational signing for the North Londoners if they could pull it off.

Blues boss Mourinho has already admitted he is powerless to prevent Cech from joining a direct rival as Roman Abramovich is believed to have agreed to let the player have a free choice over his next move as a reward for 11 years of loyal service that have led to 4 titles, 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League.

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Man Utd are still watching developments closely but they won’t make any move until David De Gea’s future is resolved, but by that time it could be too late. De Gea is set to enter the final year of his contract and has been strongly linked with Real Madrid so Louis van Gaal has lined-up potential replacements, with Cech on his short-list.

However, as it stands, United look set to miss out as a move to Arsenal is becoming a distinct possibility with Wenger edging closer to pulling off a major coup.