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Football

18th Jul 2018

Petr Cech linked with one of the more surprising transfers of the summer

Well this came out of the blue

Darragh Murphy

We can expect something of a goalkeeping merry-go-round in the coming weeks.

Thibaut Courtois is the subject of interest from Real Madrid and if the La Liga giants manage to sign the Chelsea ‘keeper this summer, it will put Liverpool firmly in the driving seat with regards to the pursuit of Roma stopper Alisson Becker.

But Courtois’ likely departure leaves Chelsea supporters wondering who new manager Maurizio Sarri has targeted as the club’s No 1 for next season.

The Blues have reportedly identified Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel as a potential option while Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol has claimed that Arsenal ‘keeper Petr Cech is being lined up for a return to Stamford Bridge three years after leaving.

Cech spent 11 years at Chelsea and is remembered fondly by the club’s supporters but it probably won’t be popular to consider the 36-year-old a straight replacement for Courtois because there’s no doubting that Cech’s best days are behind him.

The former Czech Republic international recently revealed that Napoli had been interested in him before he declared a desire to remain at the Emirates.

“There was interest from Napoli, it’s true, but my future is at Arsenal,” Cech said.

“I am not thinking about a change of club. Now there are three in competition for the Arsenal gloves and I am ready.”

New Gunners manager Unai Emery brought in German goalkeeper Bernd Leno in one of his first pieces of business in north London and the 26-year-old is potentially ahead of Cech and David Ospina in the Arsenal pecking order already.