Terry: "Cech could win Arsenal 15 points a season"

Petr Cech has been praised by Chelsea captain ahead of his move to Arsenal, which could be announced this week.

Chelsea captain John Terry has praised Petr Cech, ahead of his impending move to Arsenal. Terry said that Cech could "save Arsenal 12 to 15 points a season" should the deal finally be completed.  

Speaking on TalkSport earlier today, Terry said that Cech "would strengthen them [Arsenal] for sure" and that the goalkeeper would "improve any side he goes to". The 15 points that Terry previously mentioned that Cech would bring to Arsenal would have been enough to make them double winners last season, they would have finished the Premier League campaign three points ahead of eventual champions Chelsea. Arsenal did of course win the FA Cuplast season, after a 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Chelsea and Terry would miss Petr Cech

Terry did express disappointment at Cech's decision to leave the club, saying that the goalkeeper's departure from the club is "something that nobody wants to see" and that "he [Cech] would be sorely missed". Cech has been at Chelsea for 11 years, and is their sixth highest appearance holder in the club's long history. Terry and Cech have been a part of Chelsea defences that have won four league titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Europa League and the Champions League. Terry also went in goal after the infamous game againstReading in 2005 that left Cech with a severe head injury. 

Cech was left on the bench for the majority of last season, settling for just a handful of domestic games as Thibaut Courtois impressed in goal. A move abroad would have been ideal for the Blues, but Cech has reportedly proclaimed that he would like to stay in the city of London.

Different media outlets have varying opinions of how close a deal for Cech is. Sky are reporting that personal terms have been agreed, but a fee between the two clubs has not, while some newspapers are reporting that a deal is close to being announced. The Daily Mail, for example, has recently stated that the deal has been completed.

Arsenal interested in Marseille's Giannelli Imbula

The 22-year-old, defensive midfielder is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Emirates.

It is being reported that Arsenal are interested in signing Marseille's defensive midfielder Giannelli Imbula, as Arsene Wenger looks to add to his squad this summer.

Marseille's 22-year-old midfielder was ever present for them last campaign, making 37 appearances in Ligue 1, helping his club to a top four finish. 

Imbula is a wanted man

Arsenal are not the only club understood to be interested, it is believed that they will face competition from Inter Milan and local rivals Tottenham, for the French international's signature. 

It was originally assumed that with Inter Milan being "very close" to signing Geoffrey Kondogbia from AS Monaco, they would end their interest, but Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has stated that Inter will try and land both. 

Imbula is a tenacious, defensive midfielder who would add that much needed combative element to the centre of the park for the Gunners.

Imbula is the latest in a long list of holding midfield players linked with a move to North London; Morgan Schneiderlin, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Victor Wanyama and Grzegorz Krychowiak have all been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks. 

Imbula will likely cost around £13 million, which would be very tempting for Wenger, who reportedly cooled his interest in his pursuit of Southampton's Schneiderlin, due to their valuation of the player.

The defensive midfield position is one that needs addressing this summer

There is a real need for Arsenal to strengthen in this department,Francis Coquelin was one of the stand-out performers last season at the Emirates, but apart from him there is not much else in the way of steel to protect the back four.

Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are expected to be retained for next season, but neither player will fill the back four with much confidence. If Arsenal are to cement their position as a top threePremier League club, and challenge the likes of Chelsea andManchester City next season, additions are a necessity.

Nottingham Forest eye possible move for Nick Powell

Manchester United's talented creative midfielder Nick Powell, is reportedly set for talks with first-team manager Louis van Gaal - with Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest looking to sign the Englishman on a loan deal.

Nottingham Forest have been linked with a move for Manchester United creative midfielder Nick Powell, as he is set for crisis talks over his future with United manager Louis van Gaal. Powell's current contract with the Red Devils is set to expire next summer.

The promising talent joined United in the summer of 2012 fromCrewe Alexandra, the deal when he joined was reported to be worth £6million pounds depending on future apperances and his projected success at Old Trafford. Powell got his move to United on the back of some impressive displays for Crewe, during his time at Gresty Road, he made 64 appearances and scored 16 goals in all competitions. In his final game for his former club, he scored a well-taken volley from the edge of the area to secure a 2-0 victory at the expense of Cheltenham Town in the League Two play-off final.

He made a decent start at Old Trafford, coming on for his Premier League debut and scoring in a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in September 2012, he would struggle for appearances in the first-team though making only 6 appearances.

Loan spells away from Old Trafford

Powell had his first loan spell away from Old Trafford when he joined then-Premier League side Wigan Athletic in September 2013 on a season-long loan, he played 42 games for Wigan, scoring 12 goals, including three goals in their short-lived UEFA Europa Leaguecampaign. Powell put in some impressive performances for Wigan and looked like he could push for an opportunity to showcase his talent in the first-team on his return to Manchester.

Powell made just the one appearance for United last season, which was in their embarrassing 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the League Cup. Powell was loaned to newly promoted Leicester City for the rest of the 2014-15 season, but he only made three appearances for the Foxes before they decided to terminate his contract due to the player reportedly showing a lack of commitment in training.

Is Powell set for another loan spell away from Old Trafford in the coming season or will he given one last chance to impress at United? Only time will tell.