Arsenal Transfer News: 2nd Krystian Bielik Bid Rejected, Major Petr Cech Rumours

Arsenal have been met with a double transfer blow following reports that a second bid for Krystian Bielik has been rejected and that Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech could join Roma.

According to Sky Sports News’ Bryan Swanson, Polish club Legia Warsaw have turned down Arsenal’s latest bid for Bielik:

The midfielder, who has been likened to Patrick Vieira, per Charles Perrin of the Daily Express, has already been the subject of an offer of £1.6 million from Arsenal.

Sky Sports reports that Legia want £2.3 million for Bielik, who turned 17 on Jan. 4. Bielik visited Arsenal in November and told Polish outlet Legia.Sport.pl (h/t Ryan Hill of Squawka.com) that he hoped he could earn a move to the Premier League club: "I hope that the two clubs come together and I go to London to fulfil my dreams."

Arsenal are confident, though, of completing the signing of Bielik before the January transfer window closes, per Sami Mokbel of the Mail Online.

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If Bielik does join Arsenal, he will not be the first player manager Arsene Wenger has signed from Legia. Wenger brought goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to the club in 2006.

Szczesny’s position as first choice has been under threat after he was dropped for the FA Cup tie against Hull City on Sunday, and Arsenal were linked with a move for Cech, per Carl Eldridge and Harry Pratt of the Daily Star.

Cech lost his place at Chelsea this season, and Oli Price-Bates of Metro thinks the Czech keeper could be the ideal signing for Arsenal.

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Chelsea surely know that Arsenal are no immediate threat to them in the title race, so should have no qualms about selling the Czech Republic international to the Gunners. He is 32-years-old, a perfect age for a goalkeeper who is going to compete with someone like Szczesny. He could act as a mentor to Szczesny and after a few years of taking the No 1 spot, could stand aside and let the Polish keeper succeed him. Cech is too good to just be playing cup games.

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho initially said there was "no chance" of Cech leaving as Mark Schwarzer is due to join Leicester City:

Cech’s agent Viktor Kolar, meanwhile, claimed the keeper would consider a move to the Emirates Stadium, telling Eldridge and Pratt (via Jack Wilson of the Daily Star): "I think Arsenal should have made an offer to him. I think Petr would be considering it."

But Mourinho now appears to have had a change of heart, and Cech will have another option to consider. Diario de Noticias journalist Goncalo Lopes (h/t 101 Great Goals) says Cech has been told he can now leave, and there are negotiations with Roma:

Cech certainly deserves the chance to play regular first-team football again, and it would be a blow if Arsenal missed out on the chance to sign a keeper of such experience and quality.

He has the stature Arsenal need between the posts right now, and his departure from the Premier League would be a big loss.

But, if Roma offer him the chance to be their No. 1, then it seems like a sensible move for Cech to be playing for another big club, and he would have his former Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole alongside him, too.

Whether Mourinho would be right to let Cech go is another thing. If Schwarzer completes his move to Leicester City and Cech does go, then it leaves only youngster Jamal Blackman as cover for Thibaut Courtois. An injury to Courtois would then put Chelsea’s entire season in jeopardy.