Chelsea Transfer News: World Stars Linked in Latest Stamford Bridge Rumours

Chelsea will allow Petr Cech to depart for Arsenal—if they can receive Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in return.

According to The Sun, via Joe Short of the Express, an unnamed source from Chelsea said: "Arsene Wenger wants a top 'keeper from us, Cech. Well, in exchange, we would like Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain."

Neither would be guaranteed a starting berth in Chelsea's team, but they could offer cover for the Blues.

Walcott has struggled with injury for the past two seasons and has made just five starts this campaign, per WhoScored.com, but prior to that he was enjoying the best form of his career. 

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Walcott scored 21 goals in the 2012/13 season, and as Opta Joe notes, he had added a clinical touch to his game:

It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old can shake off his fitness concerns and return to that kind of form, but if he can, he would provide able back-up to Diego Costa.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is not a regular starter for Arsenal and the same would certainly apply at Stamford Bridge, but at 21 he has great potential and could establish himself ahead of the likes of Ramires and John Obi Mikel.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has only three goals and three assists to his name in all competitions this season, but he has completed an impressive 83 take-ons in just 22 league appearances, per Squawka. Further, he has made only four fewer tackles than Ramires and maintained a higher passing accuracy.

At his age, the versatile midfielder certainly has it in him to become a fine Premier League player in the future. While his acquisition might not get pulses racing, he could be a shrewd investment for Jose Mourinho.

To replace the outgoing Cech, Mourinho is reportedly targeting Stoke City stopper Asmir Begovic, according to Steve Stammers of the Daily Mirror.

Begovic is a proven, solid Premier League goalkeeper and would be an able No. 2 to Thibaut Courtois.

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The Bosnian 'keeper has made 1.74 saves per game this season, not far behind Courtois' 1.91 and way ahead of Cech's 1.17, while his distribution success of 68 per cent is bettered only by David de Gea of the goalkeepers who have made more than two appearances, per Squawka.

The 27-year-old has also performed well on the biggest stage of all, as WhoScored note:

Chelsea would undoubtedly be a step up for Begovic, but it remains to be seen whether he would choose to depart Stoke in order to be a back-up 'keeper. 

As the Blues already boast an outstanding starting XI, strength in depth is likely to be the order of the day this summer.

They may not be the most exciting signings, but the likes of Begovic, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain would be adequate back-up to Chelsea's stars.