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Petr Cech is on the verge of joining Arsenal after being given the green light to leave Chelsea, it has been reported.

The Blues will allow Cech to leave Stamford Bridge in the next few weeks and Arsenal appear nailed on to land the 33-year-old, who is determined to securemore first-team opportunities after seeing Thibault Courtois take his No 1 spot under Jose Mourinho. According to the Daily Star, Chelsea have already identified their replacement for Cech in the form of Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Robert Green, who is believed to be looking to leave the club following relegation to the Championship.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is willing to let Cech leave for rivals Arsenal as a goodwill gesture following his 11 years of loyal service at Stamford Bridge, and the transferwill allow Cech to keep his family in London where they have settled since his move from French side Rennes in 2004.

Paris Saint-Germain were hoping to bring Cech back to France with a summer move, but have already conceded defeat in the race to gain his signature after realising he favours a move to Arsenal, where he is almost certain to be installed as the new first-choice goalkeeper. Another option for the Blues should they decide against signing Green is Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, although the Canaries’ return to the Premier League is likely to see the 28-year-old remain at Carrow Road for at least another season.

The desire at Chelsea is to increase the number of home-grown players among the squad, given Chelsea’s offer to the Gunners to swap Cech for England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – something that Arsene Wenger rejected immediately. Arsenal are hoping to tie up the move for Cech in the coming days, with the North London side set to shell out £11m for the Czech Republic international.