Chelsea to sell Cech

LONDON. — Chelsea are set to sell Petr Cech to Arsenal for £14m — and bring in England’s Rob Green as his replacement.

Arsene Wenger is also set to clear the way for Cech’s arrival — by axing goalkeeper David Ospina.

Cech appears to have got his way with Roman Abramovich willing to sign off on him joining one of Chelsea’s big Premier League rivals.

Boss Jose Mourinho had wanted Cech to move abroad, with Paris St-Germain among several foreign clubs keen to sign him.

But owner Abramovich believes the 33-year-old deserves special treatment for his 11 years’ loyal service to the club, in which he has won every major honour, including the Champions League in 2012.

The Blues have now identified QPR goalkeeper Green as their preferred back-up for Thibaut Courtois, whose return last summer from a long loan spell at Atletico Madrid spelt the end of Cech’s reign as No.1.

They also looked at Norwich’s John Ruddy, another England international, as they aim to increase the number of home-grown players in their squad.

But Ruddy has guaranteed first-team football in the Premier League with the Canaries, while Green (35) faces the prospect of Championship football with relegated Rangers.

Starsport can also reveal the west Londoners are in contact with Atletico about a possible exchange deal which would see flop defender Filipe Luis return to the Spanish club and utility man Toby Alderweireld join Chelsea.

Belgium star Alderweireld (26) spent a successful loan spell at Southampton last season.

But Brazil left-back Luis failed to fit in at Stamford Bridge after joining the club for £15,8m last summer.

Alderweireld is surplus to requirements in Madrid and while Saints have an agreement in place to buy him for a set fee, Atletico are shopping him around trying to get a better return.

Mourinho claims he wants three new players this summer — a striker, a midfielder and a defender, and is hopeful of announcing a loan deal for Radamel Falcao within days.

But he insists the most important key to success next season will be keeping his core group of players together.

Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina is on the verge of signing for Fenerbahce, according to reports in Turkey.

Ospina, who faces an uncertain future with the Gunners ahead of the arrival of Cech, has been linked with a move away in recent weeks.

And now Turkish outlet HaberTurk say Fener are close to agreeing a £3,2million fee for Ospina, with the goalie set to sign a deal worth £1,5million-per-season.

Fener have made a top class goalie one of their transfer priorities this summer and have been linked with Iker Casillas.

Arsenal would have no use for Ospina if Cech arrives, with Wojciech Szczesny seen as the better No.2.

Szczesny is determined to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place — even though he expects the club to sign Cech.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be handed a solution to his goalkeeping dilemma, as Turkish club Fenerbahce are showing a strong interest in Ospina.

Szczesny is well aware that Wenger is hoping to complete a deal for Chelsea goalkeeper Cech, which would put his own position under greater threat.

But, despite losing his first-team place to Ospina last season, Szczesny is keen to stay at the Emirates and fight it out with Cech for a spot in Wenger’s side. Szczesny is also aware that aged 25, he could learn a lot from somebody like 33-year-old Cech and see his own game benefit.

Wenger was upset by the fact Szczesny was caught smoking in the dressing room in January and the Pole was pictured with a cigarette once again in Poland earlier this month.

But Szczesny has insisted on several occasions that he has a good relationship with Wenger and wants to play for the Frenchman.

Despite taking over from Szczesny last season, Colombia international Ospina has not looked totally convincing in English football. Arsenal signed the 26-year-old for £3 million from Nice 12 months ago, and it is understood Fenerbahce are prepared to pay £4m to land Ospina this summer.

Ospina is currently on international duty with Colombia at the Copa America and kept a valuable clean sheet in the 1-0 victory over Brazil in Group A.

It is unknown whether Ospina would be prepared to fight for his Arsenal place with Cech, although the player was believed to be upset at missing out on the FA Cup final, which Szczesny came back in for.

Cech wants to join Arsenal and Chelsea owner Abramovich has decided the Czech Republic international can move to a rival club as reward for his service to the Blues.

All that remains is for the two clubs to agree a fee, with Wenger expected to resist any attempts by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott as part of a Cech deal. — The Daily Star-Metro