Bad News Jose: Chelsea will allow Petr Cech to join Arsenal or Manchester United

Roman Abramovich has signalled veteran goalkeeper can join one of club's rivals - a move which will spark a transfer battle

High level discussions have taken place inside Stamford Bridge over what stance should be taken over Cech and there is agreement that the club should not stand in the 33-year-old’s way if he wishes to remain in England.

Cech has been a superb playing servant to Chelsea, making 494 appearances for the club and winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.
Chelsea are equally grateful to Cech for the way he has conducted himself over the past 11 years, particularly this season after he was relegated to being deputy to Thibaut Courtois.Cech enjoys an excellent relationship with Abramovich and will be given special dispensation to effectively choose his next club, despite Mourinho’s wish to keep him or sell him abroad.
Chelsea believe Cech would prefer to keep his family in London, which would make Arsenal favourites for his signature, although the player is yet to confirm his desire.

^{Petr Cech will be in demand this summer}
With one year remaining on his current deal, Chelsea will demand around £10million for Cech and that figure will not put off Arsenal or United.
Arsenal are interested in Cech, but must also make a decision over the futures of Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina before making a firm bid. Despite losing his starting place to Ospina, Szczesny has reiterated his desire to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place. Having won the number one position from Szczesny, Ospina would be desperately disappointed to be relegated back down the pecking order.

^{David Ospina (left) and Wojciech Szczesny are under pressure at Arsenal}
Signing Cech would almost certainly mean either Szczesny or Ospina have to leave Arsenal this summer, but manager Arsene Wenger may be prepared to be ruthless to land one of the world’s top goalkeepers.
United fear they are on the verge of losing David de Gea to Real Madrid and Cech, along with Jasper Cillessen, is on a list of potential replacements.

^{David De Gea could be on his way out of Manchester United}
Although Cech is nine years older than De Gea, he is still younger than Edwin van der Sar was when he moved to Old Trafford in 2005. The Dutchman went on to enjoy six superb years with United and Cech believes he can play at the top level for that long.
With Cech certain to leave Chelsea this summer, the club are making moves to sign a new top-class deputy to Courtois. They have looked at experienced goalkeepers such as 35-year-old Rob Green, but, ideally, want somebody who can have the same kind of impact as Cech, when he has stepped in for Courtois.
Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic would be Chelsea’s ideal choice to replace Cech, but it remains to be seen whether the 27-year-old could be convinced to move to Stamford Bridge as deputy to Courtois.
Chelsea are prepared to offer Begovic a big pay rise to take the role, but there are also foreign clubs interested in the Bosnia international who can offer the guarantee of first-team football.
Other than trying to sign a new deputy goalkeeper, Chelsea hope to complete a deal for striker Radamel Falcao and are battling with United for Atletico Madrid central defender Joao Miranda.