Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Julio Cesar Would Be Savvy Addition for Gunners

Should the Gunners add Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar this summer, it won't shake the foundation of the Premier League, but it will be a wise move for Arsene Wenger. 

According to John Cross of the Mirror, the Gunners are looking to do just that, as Wenger has prepared a £1.5 million bid for the 33-year-old Brazilian international. 

Cesar is rumored to favor the potential move to Arsenal as it would afford the veteran goalkeeper the opportunity to escape newly relegated QPR for the greener pastures of Emirates.

Obviously choosing a side where he can remain a relevant part of a contender is much more preferable than spending the next season fighting for promotion. 

According to Cross, Wenger envisions a scenario in which Cesar is brought alongside current goalkeeper 23-year-old Wojciech Szczesny to take the reins as No. 1 while taking Szczesny under his wing.

While the younger option is definitely the netminder of the future in North London, Cesar's experience would be invaluable in the short-term.  

As you can see in this graph, the two had comparable seasons in the 2012-13 campaign. When you consider that the Arsenal goalkeeper was working with a much more talented back line, Szczesny saw just 231 shots on target according to theScore, while Cesar saw 346. It's clear that Cesar is a slight upgrade for next season.

The Gunners' high-profile pursuits of Gonzalo Higuain and of Luis Suarez are sure to dominate the headlines as the kind of flashy signings that fans love to see.

But snagging a veteran, proven option is an under-the-radar move that will make the Gunners' chances of competing for the EPL title that much better next season. 

Considering they'll could be securing the Brazilian star for a small fraction of the price they'll be paying if they do land Higuain or Suarez, this is the kind of move that could make Wenger look like a genius.