Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Petr Cech, Geoffrey Kondogbia

Arsenal are reportedly free to pursue Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech during the summer transfer window, as the Daily Telegraph's Matt Law reports the Blues will allow the veteran to move to a direct Premier League rival.

Law adds the 33-year-old is expected to choose the Gunners over Manchester United, giving his family the opportunity to stay in London, a city he has lived in for over a decade.

As shared by football writer Pete O'Rourke, the veteran remains adamant he won't make a decision on his future until he returns from playing in a Euro 2016 qualifier with the Czech Republic:

Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina defended the Arsenal goal in 2014-15, with the former often ridiculed for his inconsistent play and lack of development. Ospina had a solid campaign, but he lacks the world-class potential to win a club points the way Cech can.

Fans have grown tired of Szczesny's struggles in particular and have been begging for an upgrade at the position for months. Comedian and Gooner Romesh Ranganathan couldn't help himself ahead of the FA Cup final against Aston Villa:

"

Szczesny in goal means that this game wouldn't be over even if Arsenal go nine nil up.

— Romesh Ranganathan (@RomeshRanga) May 30, 2015"

Cech is an experienced, world-class stopper with a winning pedigree in the Premier League and on the European level. He lost his starting position to youngster Thibaut Courtois in 2014-15, but despite his status as back-up, many still consider him as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League.

He recently turned 33, but goalkeepers have a far longer lifespan than other players, and there's no reason to think the Czech international will start declining anytime soon. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon is 37 and playing in the Champions League final, and Edwin van der Sar was still among the world's best even after turning 40.

The statistics seem to indicate Cech will be just fine for years to come, per OptaJoe:

Chelsea would obviously prefer not to sell to a direct rival, but after a decade in service of the club, they likely won't trouble the stopper too much should he pick Arsenal. Law cites a transfer fee of roughly £10 million, which seems fair for a veteran with just one year left on his contract.

There are very few downsides to this proposed transfer, and it's a deal the Gunners should pursue as soon as possible. If Cech is open to the idea of playing for one of Chelsea's most hated rivals, the sides should be able to come to an agreement in a matter of weeks.

Geoffrey Kondogbia Bid Reported

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

According to Fichajes (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), Arsenal have launched a first offer for AS Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, but the French club is expected to turn down the £18.2 million bid.

Kondogbia has been linked with a move to the Emirates ever since he put in a dominant performance against the club in the Champions League, and as shared by Sport Witness, French newspaper L'Equipe believes rumours of their interest are very real:

Sport Witness also added Kondogbia is one of a group of players who could leave Monaco during the summer, as the team attempts to balance its books and avoid further financial fair play repercussions.

The fee quoted by Fichajes likely won't convince Monaco to sell, but it could be a good starting point to gauge their asking price and meet somewhere in the middle. Exactly why a Spanish website would have intimate details of an English club making an offer for a French player is unclear, however.

Whether a bid was actually lodged or not, it's safe to assume Arsenal's interest in Kondogbia is genuine, and an official bid should arrive at some point during the summer. The young midfielder has struggled with injuries, but when healthy, he offers exactly the kind of physicality and versatility the Gunners have lacked in midfield.

Francis Coquelin was a pleasant surprise during the past season, but he offers next to nothing offensively and could do with a partner who is more adept at moving forward. Kondogbia could be that player, giving the club more depth and variety in midfield going into next season.

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