Chelsea Ready To Do Business With Arsenal, But Only If This Demand Is Met

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, Chelsea want a player in return to sell Petr Cech to Arsenal….

Chelsea are ready to do business with Arsenal over the sale of goalkeeper Petr Cech but only if the Gunners give them Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in exchange, according to reports.

Cech is set to leave Stamford Bridge after 11 trophy-filled years in West London having lost his place in the starting eleven to Thibaut Courtois this season.

A number of top European clubs have been credited with an interest in signing the 33-year-old shot-stopper, but Arsenal are reportedly leading the chase after opening formal talks with Chelsea over a potential £10m deal.

However, it appears those talks haven’t gone according to plan as the Express are reporting today that Chelsea have told the North Londoners that they are only prepared to let Cech move to the Emirates if Arsene Wenger gives them either Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain in return.

An apparent Chelsea source told the paper:

“Arsene Wenger want a top keeper from us, Cech. Well, in exchange, we would like Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“They may not be in the Arsenal team but we are convinced Jose Mourinho could make them into top players again.”

It remains to be seen how much truth there is behind this ‘source’s’ claims but if true, it will be interesting to see how Arsenal respond to Chelsea’s demands.

I personally don’t think there is any chance Wenger would let Oxlade-Chamberlain leave as he still has several years left on his contract and is nowhere near close to fulfilling his huge potential.

However, could the French boss be tempted to part ways with Walcott? The England attacker is about to enter the final year of his contract and an extension is no closer to being agreed which has led to speculation he could be on the move this summer.

The 26-year-old has fallen out-of-favour since returning to full fitness following a year on the sidelines with a knee injury and he’s only made fleeting appearances off the bench in recent months.

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If Wenger doesn’t see him as central to his plans next season and Walcott doesn’t sign a new deal, then perhaps it would suit all parties if he was used as part exchange for  Cech.

There are sure to be plenty more twists and turns before things get resolved but we could be about see Arsenal and Chelsea get involved in another high profile swap deal after the London giants did business for Ashley Cole and William Gallas back in 2006.