London, June 16 (IANS) Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky said he had spoken to Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech over a possible move to Arsenal but admits his compatriot will be pursued by several clubs.
Rosicky and Cech have been teammates in the Czech Republic national side for 13 years, and Rosicky admits the Chelsea goalkeeper is keen on a “change of scenery”.
Cech has one year remaining on his contract at Chelsea but is searching for a new club after spending much of last season as second choice to Belgian goalkeper Thibaut Courtois, the first time he has not been No. 1 since moving to London in 2004.
Media reports suggest the 33-year-old has turned down a move to Paris Saint-Germain in favour of chasing a contract that will keep him in the English Premier League.
Arsenal are one of the English clubs understood to be interested in signing Cech, and Rosicky said the topic has come up between the two of them.
“Obviously I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I had been speaking to him because we have known each other for a very long time,” Rosicky was quoted as saying by skysports.com on Monday.
“Petr wants a change of scenery, let’s say, so I don’t think he will have a lack of clubs interested in him. We will see how it ends but in this case I will not interfere at all from both sides.”
“It’s his decision or Arsenal’s decision if they want to go in that way. I don’t know if Arsenal really wants him or not. That’s not the right question for me but he’s a very good goalkeeper. He’s a proven goalkeeper,” the Arsenal midfielder added.