Petr Cech's expected arrival at the Emirates Stadium would take Arsenal another step closer to the Premier League title, according to Bob Wilson. Arsenal appear to be close to signing the veteran goalkeeper, although Cech's representatives last night played down suggestions an £11 million (€15.5 million) deal had been finalised.
The Czech goalkeeper would prefer to keep his family in London as he seeks a move in search of regular football, and reluctantly Chelsea manager José Mourinho appears to have accepted the player's wish, with captain John Terry admitting a move to Arsenal could be worth as much as 15 points in the title race.
Wilson, part of Arsenal’s double winning team from 1970-1971 and a former goalkeeper coach at Highbury, is confident the transfer could signal a sustained title challenge should his old club manage to push it through.
Amazing Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Wilson said: “I think it is an amazing signing. It’s another step towards the title.
“Arsenal are very close to having a squad that almost matches Chelsea, almost matches Manchester City. I think everybody knows Arsenal are minimum two, maybe three, good signings to really challenge Chelsea.”
Meanwhile, Stoke City's hopes of securing Victor Moses from Chelsea as part of any deal that would see Asmir Begovic transfer to Stamford Bridge are set to be dashed with the Nigeria winger apparently reluctant to move to the Britannia stadium on a permanent basis.
Moses spent last season in the Potteries, scoring four times in 23 games and impressing in flashes, before suffering a hamstring injury in April which ended his season prematurely.
The 24-year-old had enjoyed a similar season-long switch to Liverpool the previous year, only to find his opportunities more limited at Anfield
He had been expected to seek a fresh start away from Chelsea during the summer window with the prospect of regular first-team involvement with the champions relatively remote.
The Stoke manager, Mark Hughes, had identified the former Crystal Palace trainee, whom Chelsea secured for £9m from Wigan in 2012, as a priority signing ahead of the new campaign and are considering stipulating the winger must be part of any proposed deal for Begovic.
Other options
However, Moses, who has won 24 caps for Nigeria, is understood to be unsure over a return to Stoke and is instead considering a number of other options, both in the Premier League and abroad.
Chelsea’s interest in Begovic, who is entering the final year of his contract, will be maintained regardless as the Premier League winners aim to secure a replacement for Cech.
The Bosnia international, who would cost around £8 million, will seek assurances he is not merely being signed as an understudy for Thibaut Courtois and will be offered senior involvement.
The likes of Rob Green, at QPR, and the Getafe goalkeeper, Vincente Guaita, have also been considered this summer.
