Coach Confirms Petr Cech Wants Arsenal Move & Claims Man Utd Are After Hugo Lloris

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’s goalkeeping coach lifts the lid on Petr Cech’s situation…

Chelsea’s own goalkeeping coach has confirmed that Petr Cech wants to join Arsenal this summer while he also claims Manchester United are keen on Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris, according to the Mirror.

Cech’s future at Chelsea has come under serious doubt after he lost his place to Thibaut Courtois last season and the Czech international is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer in search of regular action.

There has been no shortage of interest in the 33-year-old with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain all strongly linked with a move for the shot-stopper in recent months.

Sky Sports News claim that Cech held talks with Chelsea officials on Monday where he expressed his desire to leave the club, with the Blues reluctantly ready to do business if their £11m asking price is met.

The Premier League champions would no doubt prefer to sell the long-serving keeper abroad but according to the clubs own goalkeeping coach, Christophe Lollichon, Cech favours a move to London rivals Arsenal.

Lollichon has worked with Cech for ten years and he told reporters that the player wants to stay in England and would prefer a move to Arsenal as they are based in London and are a club that meets his footballing ambitions.

“I think [Cech] still has three or four excellent seasons in him.

“His family like England. And a player is happy when his family is happy.

“He wants to stay in England, but I don’t know where are the discussions. The Premier League is his primary objective. But it will also depends on the conditions .

”The advantage is that Arsenal is a top club, with a philosophy that pleases him and that is at London. It is a base for consideration.” Lollichon is quoted as saying by the Mirror

Arsene Wenger is on the look out for another goalkeeper after losing faith in Wojciech Szczesny and Cech would be an excellent addition for the Gunners if they manage to get a deal agreed.

The North Londoners have struggled to find a reliable No.1 since the days of Jens Lehmann and with Cech they would finally have a world class stopper between the sticks, which could make all the difference in the title race next season.

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Cech as Louis van Gaal lines-up a replacement for David De Gea – who’s tipped to join Real Madrid this summer. However, Lollichon claims the Red Devils have their eye on Tottenham No.1 Hugo Lloris.

The French international has cast doubt on his future after expressing a desire to play in the Champions League and Tottenham have reportedly identified Cech as a potential replacement, but Lollichon believes Mauricio Pochettino’s men don’t match the Czech star’s ambition.

He continued:

“I think that Manchester United like Lloris.”

“Tottenham? I do not think they have the same ambitions as Arsenal. Petr wants to break a record of the clean sheets in the Premier League.

“At 33, he still has at least three or four excellent seasons at the high level. Much is said about him at PSG, but the problem is that when you have evolved in England, Ligue 1 seems light compared to what Petr has experienced.” Lollichon is quoted as saying by the Mirror

So as it stands, it looks like Arsenal are firmly in pole position to land Cech but it all comes down to whether Chelsea are willing to sell to their rivals. It’s widely reported that Roman Abramovich is ready to let Cech join another English team as a reward for his loyal service but it remains to be seen whether that turns out to be the case.

It would certainly be a noble gesture from the champions as Arsenal would be serious title contenders next season if they have Cech in goal.

It’s also interesting that Lollichon claims Man Utd are after Lloris and that’s another deal that I wouldn’t be surprised to see happen during the course of the summer – if De Gea ends up joining Madrid.

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Lloris has been outstanding for Spurs over the last three years and he’d be an excellent replacement for De Gea, but I’m sure Pochettino wouldn’t be best pleased if chairman Daniel Levy did sell the keeper as his exit would severely weaken Tottenham’s side.

It’s going to be a fascinating few weeks which could see several top class goalkeepers move to different clubs, so we’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest news as it happens…