Turkish top flight side Besiktas are stepping up their efforts to sign unsettled Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, with a move even possible before the end of the season, a report said Thursday.
The 32-year-old Czech Republic 'keeper indicated in Prague this week he was tired of sitting on the bench for the Blues after losing the first choice spot to Belgian international Thibaut Courtois.
The Fanatik sports daily said that after his comments Beskitas had "accelerated talks" about the player, who has long been a target for the Istanbul club.
Rapidly acquiring a new goalkeeper has become a matter of urgent priority for Besiktas as they head into the finale of Super Lig season as strong contenders for the title along with Istanbul rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
First choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin is out for up to nine weeks after rupturing a tendon last weekend and had also been heavily criticised for a woeful display in last week's Europa League defeat to Club Brugge.
"It would be wrong for me to say which player we are having talks about," club chairman Fikret Orman was quoted as saying by Fanatik.
"We are making efforts for the end of the season," he added.
Cech has many other admirers including Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool as well as Serie A high-fliers AS Roma and defending French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
"I have to do something about my situation because I want to play, not sit on the bench," Cech, who is under contract until the summer of 2016, said ahead of Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia.
Source: AFP