Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Julio Cesar Would Give Club Much-Needed Leadership

Even though Arsenal already have a solid young goalkeeper in Wojciech Szczesny, the club would be smart to add Julio Cesar this summer as well.

According to Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Express, that is a real possibility:

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Arsenal are expected to launch a formal bid for Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar after the Confederations Cup final on Sunday between Brazil and Spain. 

At 33, Cesar’s fee is expected to be around only £1.5million but he would be seen as someone who could come straight into the team and also develop Szczesny and Fabianski, who both finished last season strongly.

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This low transfer fee represents little risk for the club, although his salary of £80,000 a week is a high price to pay for a part-time keeper. However, this would still be a worthwhile move for the Gunners.

Cesar is an experienced player who has been a part of some of the best teams in the world throughout his career. Prior to joining QPR, he spent seven years with Internazionale, where he helped the team win the Champions League in 2010.

For a long time, he was one of the best keepers in the world while anchoring the Italian club as well the Brazilian national team. Although this was a bit of a down year with QPR as the club was relegated, it had little to do with Cesar's play defending the net.

He certainly had nothing to do with the club's inability to score more than a league-low 30 goals during the year.

His current play at the Confederations Cup proves that he is still able to lead a quality team to success. With Arsenal, he would have the opportunity to once again showcase that ability.

As the club gets set to compete in the Champions League this upcoming season as well as contend for an EPL title, it could use an experienced player like this to provide leadership in the biggest matches. 

This leadership is something that was lacking the past season at Emirates Stadium. The club was going through a rebuilding effort and was filled with few veterans. Cesar would be a strong voice in the locker room and during matches to give that little extra boost.

That being said, Szczesny still represents the future for Arsenal. The 23-year-old keeper has consistently improved in the past couple of years and has the potential to be one of the best in the league.

While adding Cesar could take away some starts from the young player, the competition will only push him to get better. When they are not on the pitch, there is certainly a lot that Szczesny could learn from the veteran. 

Cesar could make the current group of goalkeepers better, and he could be a leader to the entire roster of young players. All of this would be in addition to the strong play he would provide when he gets onto the pitch.

Arsenal must do what it takes to complete this deal as soon as possible.

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