Transfer balls: Arsenal ‘sign’ QPR’s Julio Cesar and Liverpool’s Pepe Reina as Wojciech Szczesny ‘fights for place’
TRANSFER BALLS: A look at Arsenal’s moves for a new goalkeeper, as reported by the experts in the news media with a wet finger held up in the breeze and a deadline to hit.
June 30:
Arsenal will buy QPR’s Julio Cesar:
Julio Cesar has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will leave QPR for Arsenal this summer by admitting he wants to continue living in London… when asked if his son had admitted to him that he wants to remain in London, Cesar said: “Yes, me too. I love the city and I’m enjoying living there.” – Evening Standard
June 29:
A bid has been made for Cesar? This site says it has been:
Arsenal Launch Formal £1.5m Bid for QPR Keeper Julio Cesar – Caught Offiside
But let’s take that with pinch of salt. At the end of May, Italian website TuttoMercatoWeb stated Arsenal has already bought Cesar.
Arsenal have stepped up their interest in QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar – but face a battle with Roma and Fiorentina to land him. – Metro
June 28:
Arsenal have two scouts at the Confederations Cup and are well aware that Cesar is available following QPR’s relegation to the Championship. They have also been monitoring Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Stoke’s Asmir Begovic but either of those options would be likely to cost in excess of £10 million. – Daily Telegraph
The Daily Mail says a deal will be done:
Arsenal will look to complete the signing of Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar after the Confederations Cup. Arsene Wenger wants an experienced goalkeeper to provide competition for Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny.
June 26:
The Sunderland Echo says Cesar is off to join Sunderland.
The Evening Standard says Arsenal want Liverpool’s Pepe:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains a keen admirer of Reina, having tried to sign him two seasons ago, and he is considering a number of options as he looks to provide competition for Wojciech Szczesny.
The Mail said Arsenal want the Spaniard, having bid £20m for him in 2010.
The Mail also told us:
Cech wanted by Arsenal as patience runs out with mentally fragile Szczesny
That’s the same Mail that also says Szczesny isn’t leaving and will fight Cesar for the No.1 jersey.
June 25:
Cesar is off to Italy?
Arsenal goalkeeping target Julio Cesar refuses to rule out Serie A return. “I played for Inter but this doesn’t preclude my return to Italy,” Cesar told Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport. – Daily Express
Well, he’s not ruled it on. But he’s not ruled it in, either.
The Standard then notes:
Julio Cesar keen on return to Italy
No. That’s not what he said.
More transfer balls every day….
Posted: 1st, July 2013 | In: Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
