Arsenal and Petr Cech: If there’s anyone to handle transfer saga

Petr Cech is being linked with a move to Chelsea. His agent has stated that there hasn’t been an approach. A transfer saga is brewing. Thankfully, if there’s anyone who can handle it, it’s the wealthily experienced Arsenal goalkeeper.

With Arsenal having been surprisingly and unusually efficient in their transfer work so far this summer — they have already made five signings, four of which address clear needs that were highlighted prior to the summer merry-go-round beginning –, the focus of the discussion regarding the remaining few weeks of the window has shifted from incomings to outgoings.

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As of writing, the Gunners have not sold one player. Takuma Asano and Kelechi Nwakali departed on loan deals, Jack Wilshere chose to leave at the end of his contract, while Santi Cazorla was not offered a new deal and Per Mertesacker retired. But there hasn’t actually yet been one proper sale for a proper fee.

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One position that will surely see a sale, though, is goalkeeper. The £19 million addition of Bernd Leno ensures that much, as well as the return of Emiliano Martinez from his loan spell at Getafe. And one name that has surfaced as a possible outgoing is Petr Cech, with a spectacular return to Chelsea reportedly on the cards with his former club scrambling for a Thibault Courtois replacement as the Belgian seeks a transfer to Real Madrid and Alisson Becker chose Liverpool.

Despite the reports, though, Cech’s agent, Viktor Kolar, has stated that there has not been an approach and that his client is solely focused on the new season at the Emirates:

"“It is always busy during every transfer window around Petr Cech, as a great Premier League person. However, he maximally focuses on the new season at Arsenal, no specific offer is available.”"

I can smell a small transfer saga brewing. A will-he-won’t-he, twisted, tumultuous journey through rumour, conjecture, feigned whispers, unfounded suggestions and the potential of a transfer that could fall through at any moment. It has all the ingredients.

A half-interested former club scrambling, somewhat desperately, for any goalkeeper that is half-decent. A usurped veteran who may or may not be happy with his probably reserve role next season. Two new managers whose ideas are completely shrouded and hidden, mostly down to educated guesses from their history and records. Two local rivals who are competing for the same thing, a return to the Champions League.

Thankfully, if there is anyone who can handle a transfer saga and remain focused and committed despite its distractions, it’s Petr Cech. A 36-year-old goalkeeper who has played in the Premier League since the summer of 2004 when he arrived as a fresh-faced 22-year-old, with 124 international caps, having done this exact transfer in very similar circumstances three years ago, only the other way.

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It remains to be seen what will come of the Cech rumours, if anything. There are still three weeks to run of this summer’s transfer window. Plenty can still happen. But I am not worried about Cech whatsoever. He is the consummate professional, calm, composed, intelligent. He is the perfect man to endure a brewing transfer saga.