Chelsea Transfer News: Petr Cech to Join PSG, Latest Mauro Icardi Rumours

Former Chelsea star Ray Wilkins has claimed Petr Cech will join Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC tweeted Wilkins’ revelation after PSG fell 3-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night:

Wilkins is likely to have better inside knowledge than most, having worked at Chelsea as coach, assistant first-team coach and caretaker manager since the turn of the century.

Cech dropped out of the Chelsea lineup with the return of Thibaut Courtois at the start of the campaign. Jose Mourinho has constantly favoured the youngster in Premier League competition, with Cech reduced to just four starts in the domestic division, per WhoScored.com.

He has made nine appearances in cup competitions, remaining committed to the west London side’s cause whenever called upon. Although Cech hasn’t made a fuss, he recently told Idnes (h/t ESPN FC) that his presence on the bench “can work for one season only.”

Cech would become a leader at PSG, but Salvatore Sirigu remains a top-class goalkeeper when in form. Laurent Blanc’s side could use a smattering of experienced winners to help PSG fulfill their potential in Europe. Cech has been a key figure of Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich era, so he knows what it’s like to play under the pressure of significant investment.

Although Mourinho is unlikely to receive major cash for the goalkeeper, every little bit helps as the summer transfer market opens. Chelsea have been “encouraged” in their quest to land Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, according to Telegraph Sport, but word from the Serie A club suggests they are looking to build around the Argentinian’s goalscoring form.

Piero Ausilio, Inter’s sporting director, confirms the side are hoping to renew Icardi‘s contract, as reported by Nima Tavallaey Roodsari of GianlucaDiMarzio.com: “In all renewals there are things that need to be fixed and times to follow. We want to extend and adjust Icardi‘s contract. And when there is a will, in the end, things will always work out.”

David Amoyal of the same website suggests both Inter and Icardi will make the agreement happen: “The biggest hurdle appears to be the exit clause which Inter doesn’t want to include in the contract. The parties however want to reach an agreement and will continue to work towards it.”

Amoyal also believes Inter should refrain from cashing in:

Icardi has scored 16 goals in 28 league matches this season, per WhoScored.com. He possesses a combative nature and is the type of player who can be loved by his own fans and loathed by others. B/R UK’s Matteo Bonetti recently detailed Icardi‘s personality and whether he could be a success at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea supporters will no doubt be sad to hear Cech may leave, particularly if he’s to join a European side who could impact the Blues’ Champions League chances in the future. PSG knocked Mourinho‘s men out of Europe this season, so the inevitable showdown would only ever be one unlucky draw away.

Icardi has the promise to be a star under Mourinho, although it seems Inter will do all they can to ensure the 22-year-old remains at the San Siro.

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