Arsenal Transfer News: Petr Cech Terms and Timeline Revealed, Latest Rumours

Arsenal will pay £11 million to sign Petr Cech from Chelsea, with the goalkeeper reportedly set to earn a whopping £100,000-a-week at the Emirates.

That’s according to Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror, who writes that the Gunners staved off interest from French champions Paris Saint-Germain to sign the 33-year-old. It’s noted in the piece that Cech preferred to stay in the capital because his family are settled.

It appears as though Arsenal supporters will not have to wait too long for the deal to be completed either. Sky Sports claims the transfer is likely to be finalised before the weekend, with the two teams close to agreeing a transfer fee.

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Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez thinks the Czech Republic international could well be the signing of the summer should a deal go through:

In terms of what he’ll add to this Arsenal team, it’s a tough sentiment to disagree with. After all, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has struggled to acquire a top-quality goalkeeper ever since the departure of David Seaman.

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Cech, although he may be pricey for a 33-year-old, is a proven talent in the Premier League. His experience, attitude and winning mentality will all enrich this Arsenal side. In addition, as he showcased in the smattering of appearances he made for the Blues last season, he’s still a magnificent goalkeeper.

But as noted here by Tony Barrett of the Times, selling the ‘keeper for £11 million, £4 million more than what the Blues paid for Cech back in 2004, does look like another masterstroke from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho:

There’s no denying that by letting the club’s longstanding goalkeeper leave, Chelsea are aiding a positional rival. Of course, Cech has earned the right to make a decision on his own future and during his 11 years at Stamford Bridge he’s been a model professional.

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Nonetheless, the club sanctioning a move to a potential challenger for the Blues’ Premier League crown is peculiar. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe is unsure about the logic surrounding Chelsea’s decision:

For neutrals, it certainly adds some intrigue to the title race for next season. Mourinho has handed Arsenal a perfect solution to a perennial issue and Cech’s assurance will help the Gunners form sturdier foundations as they look to launch a title tilt.

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He may not have an influence as aesthetic as other marquee signings like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but Cech’s effect, although understated, will be just as significant. Even with £11 million stashed away for the sale of a reserve player, you do wonder if Mourinho will eventually rue letting sentiment cloud his usually ruthless decision-making.

Arsenal Chasing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

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Arsenal’s search for forward reinforcements will see the club turn to Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

That’s according to the Daily Telegraph, which claim that the Gunners have “entered the race” to sign the Gabon international. The piece also suggests that the Londoners are “readying” a substantial offer of £28.7 million in an attempt to lure Aubameyang to the Emirates.

As noted here by Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven, the centre-forward position is an area of some concern for Arsenal:

The aforementioned article notes that with Jackson Martinez seemingly poised to join Atletico Madrid, Wenger will now turn his attention to the Dortmund man, who has also been linked with a move to Liverpool in the past.

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Aubameyang, as noted here by Squawka Football, has been one of the standout goalscorers in the Bundesliga since he signed for Dortmund from Saint-Etienne:

He’d certainly add something different to this Arsenal side. Aubameyang proved towards the end of last season that despite being deployed on the flanks for long spells of his career at the Westfalenstadion, he’s at his devastating best when stationed as an orthodox centre-forward.

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But is this a position Arsenal should be spending big money on? Alex Shaw of ESPN.com thinks so, claiming a striker should be next on Wenger’s list if the club is serious about ousting Chelsea at the top:

Aubameyang’s searing pace and composed finishing ability would give Arsenal another direct edge to complement Sanchez. In addition, he’d be a dream for the visionary skills of Ozil and Santi Cazorla with his willingness to run in behind.

But in the second half of the season the Gabon striker blossomed into a vital figure for BVB. During a summer of inevitable seismic change at the Westfalenstadion, you can bet the Bundesliga giants will be doubly determined to cling on to their star centre-forward.