Chelsea are close to appointing Petr Cech as their new sporting director.

The Arsenal goalkeeper will retire from playing after the Europa League final against the Blues on May 29.

Sky Sports claim Cech will return to his former employers at Stamford Bridge.

The 37-year-old spent 11 years at Chelsea before joining the Gunners in 2015.

It is not clear yet what responsibilities Cech will have at the club, but it is reported that he will share the burden of recruitment and providing a link between the manager and the board.

Director Marina Granovskaia has been performing that role since Michael Emenalo's departure as technical director in 2017.

Speaking on social media, Cech remained coy over the news.

"Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before, I'll make a decision about my future after the last game. Now my sole focus is to win the Europa League with Arsenal," Cech tweeted.