Arsenal Transfer News: Petr Cech Agrees Terms, Fresh Alexandre Lacazette Hope

Arsenal are tantalisingly close to completing a deal for Chelsea's Petr Cech, with reports claiming the goalkeeper has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners.

According to Sky Sports, sources have revealed the player and his prospective new club have thrashed out terms in principle but the London rivals have yet to agree on a fee for the 33-year-old stopper. The article adds further details of the potential transfer:

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The transfer fee is unknown but it will be a cash only deal, with Chelsea's request to receive a home-grown player as part of the proposed transfer no longer being considered.

Cech is said to be grateful to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for allowing him to move to whatever club he chooses, even though that is now likely to be London rivals Arsenal.

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Cech is believed to be keen to move to the Gunners although it is believed that Blues boss Jose Mourinho would prefer him to join French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

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For Arsenal, it would be a magnificent capture. Arsene Wenger’s side have had concerns about their man between the sticks for so long, and Cech is a player who would bring undeniable quality and consistency to the base of this Gunners side.

The Blues legend has the kind of underpinning attributes that have been scarce in this Arsenal team. While the Gunners have always had quality, there’s been a perennial lack of nous when it comes to big matches in the Premier League, preventing them from making that final step toward winning the title.

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Chelsea skipper John Terry has admitted to talkSPORT that if his team-mate does make the switch to the Emirates Stadium, he’ll have major impact:

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There’s talk of Arsenal signing Petr Cech and, if they do get him, he will strengthen them for sure. He will save them 12 or 15 points a season.

Petr was an unbelievable professional last year. When you get left out of the team it can be hard to accept but, when he came in [to the side], he was exceptional.

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Terry went on to admit Cech is going to be sorely missed:

Bleacher Report’s James McNicholas outlined how valuable Cech's addition would be to this Arsenal team.

While Cech will make a huge difference, it’s important Arsenal don’t rest on their laurels. The Blues icon will bring the Gunners assurance and experience in spades, but there are other areas of this team, most notably at the base of the midfield and up front, that need injections of comparable quality.

Cech is the ideal starting point, though. It’s a major statement of intent from the Gunners, and though the 33-year-old is by no means the final piece of the jigsaw, Wenger seems to finally be addressing facets of his squad that have required replenishment for some time.

Gunners Chasing Forward Reinforcements

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Arsenal have been handed a glimmer of hope in their reported pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette, with the player’s agent insisting Lyon need to improve the terms offered to the player in a new contract.

The striker's representative, David Venditelli, told Le Progres (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC) he was unhappy with the fresh offer from the Ligue 1 outfit but admitted Lacazette is unlikely to move a year before the European Championship:

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I don't understand because the president announced on Friday morning that the salary was a minimum of €4 million. Do you think what the club is saying and their position on the numbers has been coherent in recent days?

Ultimatums and media pressure won't change our demands, which OL are aware of.

The offers we've had from abroad are very significant in terms of finances, but they don't give all the guarantees Alexandre will flourish with just a year to go till the Euros.

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David Vincent/Associated Press

According to Uche Amako of the Daily Express, Lacazette was offered an extension to stave off interest from the Gunners, Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. But Holyman claims the player is seeking an annual salary of circa €6 million, significantly more than the €4 million reportedly offered to him.

WhoScored.com illustrated why the 24-year-old is in demand:

The Gunners may be tempted to step up their interest in the Lyon man, given that reported transfer target Jackson Martinez seems to be on his way to Atletico Madrid.

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According to George Bellshaw of Metro, Arsenal are “clear to complete the transfer” of the Porto striker after Milan formally withdrew from the race to sign him. But it seems as though the Rossoneri have merely expedited the player’s potential move to the Vicente Calderon, with John Downes of the MailOnline claiming the transfer will soon be completed.

Alex Shaw of ESPN FC thinks the Gunners need another quality front man to supplement the signing of Cech and push for glory:

But neither of the aforementioned pairing seems feasible at the moment. Martinez is creeping closer to the Spanish capital, and although Lacazette’s agent is stirring the pot a little by revealing there has been interest from abroad, it reeks of a ploy to secure a more lucrative package for his client.

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Of the two, the Frenchman, who possesses technical ability, searing pace and a cool head in front of goal, seems the more natural fit for the Gunners. But if Wenger wants to add some incision to his team at the sharp end of the pitch, chances are he’s going to have to look elsewhere in summer market.