Arsenal set to complete Cesar signing but face frustration over Fellaini and Williams



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.

Talks between Cesar’s representatives and Gunners chiefs have already taken place, but negotiations have been put on hold due to the keeper’s international commitments.

Wanted: Julio Cesar is set to join Arsenal following Queens Park Rangers' relegation to the Championship

The Gunners are now actively trying to complete the swoop after Italian side Roma joined the race to land Cesar.

The Brazil international, who is free to leave Loftus Road following QPR’s relegation into the Championship, is keen to stay in London having settled in the capital since his arrival from Inter Milan last summer.

And the Gunners - who hope to complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain next week after Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti cleared the way for the striker to leave Spain - are confident a deal can be completed after Sunday’s Confederations Cup final.

Wenger has considered moves for Stoke’s Asmir Begovic and Liverpool’s Pepe Reina but, despite having a £70million transfer kitty, the Arsenal manager would rather not spend a significant chunk of his warchest on a keeper.

Main man: Cesar impressed at Loftus Road despite the side's struggles in the Premier League

Rangers will listen to offers of around £2million for Cesar, while his £70,000-per-week wages will not be a problem for the Gunners, who have dispatched scouts to Brazil to monitor Cesar’s displays in the Confederations Cup.

In addition to Cesar and Higuain, the Gunners are also actively pursuing Swansea defender Ashley Williams and Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

But financial issues are providing major stumbling blocks towards Arsenal completing both deals.

At present, Arsenal are refusing to meet Fellaini’s £100,000-per-week wage demands and are also reluctant to meet the £24m release clause.

Missing out? Arsenal look set to be priced out of moves for Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Williams (below)

And Sportsmail understands the Belgian’s advisors have told Arsenal that Fellaini, contracted until 2016, is prepared to spend another season on Merseyside with the view that he will have a better chance of landing the pay deal he wants next summer.

Likewise, Arsenal are refusing to meet Swansea’s £10million asking price for Wales international Williams.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to look elsewhere for a British goalkeeper after seeing their £5million bid for John Ruddy rejected by Norwich.

The Blues want to sign a homegrown keeper to help towards their eight-man quota in next season’s 25-man squad.

Chelsea remain keen on Ruddy, but have been told the England international is not for sale by the Canaries.



