Crunch time: Julio Cesar has been told to take a pay cut (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have told QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar he will have to take a pay cut in order to complete a dream switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is eyeing another goalkeeper to act as competition for Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, after agreeing to let Vito Mannone join Sunderland.

QPR shot-stopper Cesar has emerged as the number one target, with the 33-year-old also keen on the move as he looks cement his place as Brazil’s number one ahead of the World Cup next year.

But the transfer has stalled in recent weeks, with Cesar’s wage demands proving to be a huge stumbling block.


Careful: Arsene Wenger wants Cesar but won’t pay over the odds (Picture: Getty)

He currently earns around £45,000-a-week at QPR, which is topped up by performance-related bonuses, and he is refusing to accept anything less at a new club.



Arsenal are prepared to do business if Cesar accepts a straight £30,000-a-week deal, and have told him to hurry up and make a decision.

Cesar is currently on holiday in South America after helping Brazil win the Confederations Cup earlier this month, and QPR have told him he will be allowed to find a new club.

But Napoli have already pulled out of the race because of his wage demands – instead moving in for Liverpool’s Pepe Reina – and now Arsenal are ready to pull the plug unless he lowers his demands.

Cesar still has a year left on his contract at Loftus Road and chief executive Philip Beard says they will play the goalie in the Championship next term if he doesn’t get a move.