Report: Cech to be Arsenal No2 next season, £130,000-a-week ace could replace him
By Harry Sykes
Arsenal are eyeing a sensational swoop for Joe Hart in the summer, according to a report.
The Mail claim the Gunners are in the market for a new No1 goalkeeper as they prepare to demote Petr Cech to the back-up position next season.
It is said that Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Hart and are ready to go head-to-head with Liverpool to sign the England international.
Hart, who is midway through a season-long loan at Italian club Torino, is surplus to requirements at Manchester City after being demoted upon the arrival of Pep Guardiola last summer.
The 2012 and 2014 Premier League champions will listen to offers for Hart, whose current £130,000-a-week contract runs until 2019.
This will pave the way for a major battle for his services as the 29-year-old has a fine reputation despite the misgivings of Guardiola.
The Mail report that Arsenal intend to move Cech down the pecking order two years after his £11million move from rivals Chelsea.
The 34-year-old has been a mainstay of the Gunners side and has started all 24 of their Premier League fixtures this season but there have been clear signs that has his standards have slipped in recent months.
Cech made a blunder for Chelsea’s third goal in Arsenal 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last Saturday and also appeared to lack the agility of the past for the opener scored by Marcos Alonso.
In other Arsenal transfer news, a defender raid has been lined up following a major development.
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