Three Potential Replacements for Petr Cech

Arsenal will already be on the search for a new goalkeeper following Petr Cech’s retirement announcement earlier today.

Cech today announced on social media that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season following his 20-season career.And Arsenal’s scouting department must now turn their attention towards finding a new goalkeeper.

The Gunners already have a number one in Bernd Leno, but they will be looking for someone to push the German for his number one spot, rather than an out-and-out back-up.

Here are three potential contenders:

One of the keepers who has already been linked with Arsenal is Real Madrid stopper Keylor Navas. The 32-year-old is now playing back-up to Thibaut Courtois and he’s not likely to be content sitting on the bench for too much longer.

He’s made just 12 appearances this season, the majority of which have been in cup competitions, and he may well jump at the chance of a new opportunity, should Arsenal offer him a way out.

He’s also someone who could really push for that number one spot, and that’s ultimately what the Gunners should be striving for, rather than an out-and-out back-up keeper.

Navas is a three-time Champions League winner. Keepers like him don’t come available too often. He has just over a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu. The Gunners could probably lure Keylor Navas for around £10 million, maybe a little more with the inflation charged to English clubs by European outfits.

The Barcelona back-up has started just two league games since arriving from Ajax in 2016. The Dutch keeper is a talented stopper, but he’s never going to displace Ter Stegen, who is arguably the best keeper in the world at the moment.

Cillessen is still young as far goalkeepers go at the age of 29 and he also has plenty of experienced. He played 101 times in the league for Ajax over five years and he has no fewer than 43 international caps for the Netherlands.

When called upon by Barca, mostly in cup competition, he has proved a safe pair of hands, and you would struggle to find a better number two given his age and experience.

Again, he’s also good enough to challenge Leno for that number one jersey. Cillessen has a contract until 2021 and he would likely cost Arsenal just over £10 million.

We’ll throw in this curve ball for another possible option. If in the unlikely case Arsenal want to sign someone to play back-up to Berndt Leno without fully challenging for a number one spot.

In that case, Burnley keeper Nick Pope is worth taking a look at. He’s a solid second option, who proved he can more than do a steady job during Tom Heaton’s injury last season. He was actually unlucky to lose his place this season following the arrival of Joe Hart, who came to Turf Moor to cover for his shoulder injury.

As an Englishman and indeed an England international, Pope would also help Arsenal meet their homegrown obligations, while also serving as a solid second keeper.

Pope’s contract is up in 2021, so Arsenal may be looking to get Pope in to challenge Leno.