Arsenal Transfer News: Cesar Confirms Talks – Vermaelen To Snub Juve Move

With the summer transfer window set to re-open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Julio Cesar confirms he’s in talks about staying in the Premier League and Thomas Vermaelen is ready to snub a move to Juventus and fight for his place at Arsenal.

Cesar confirms talks

First up and Julio Cesar has confirmed he’s in talks with unnamed Premier League clubs but the Mirror suggest that Arsenal are one of the interested parties.

The Brazilian goalkeeper joined Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer from Inter Milan last summer but despite some impressive displays, he was unable to prevent the west Londoners from being relegated to the Championship last season.

The report claims QPR are keen to get his £70k-a-week wages off the books and will sell the 33-year-old this summer with Arsenal understood to be keen as boss Arsene Wenger looks to bring in an experienced stopper to compete with Wojciech Szczesny next season.

Speaking ahead of Brazil’s friendly with England this weekend, Cesar has revealed he’s in talks with other clubs in England and the Mirror suggest Arsenal are one of the sides in the running.

“I am in negotiations with other clubs in England and from other countries but there’s still not been anything definitive,” said Cesar.

“I am concentrating on Brazil, I still have a deal with QPR, but I also know I have to prove that I should be in the squad for the World Cup in 2014.” Cesar is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

Cesar would be a good signing in my opinion. He’s an extremely experienced keeper and would be able to pass on that wisdom to young Szczesny, he’s played in the Premier League and should be available at a decent price.

Vermaelen keen to stay

Next up and the Daily Star carry quotes from captain Thomas Vermaelen that suggest he’s ready to snub a move away from the club and fight for his place in the Arsenal first team next season.

Vermaelen endured a difficult season last term and was relegated to the subs bench after a series of below par displays. In his absence, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny struck up an excellent partnership at the heart of the defence and became Arsene Wenger’s first choice centre-backs.

The Star claim Juventus are ready to offer the Belgian a way out of north London this summer, however the 27-year-old is determined to stay and fight for his place at the Emirates.

“I’m happy at Arsenal. I didn’t play much and that was frustrating but things can turn around quickly.

“I was on the bench but I could just as quickly be playing again. I’m working hard to make that happen.

“These are things that happen in professional football.

“Arsenal are a great club where there is a lot of competition.” Vermaelen is quoted as saying by the Star

It’s seems likely that Wenger will go into next season with Mertesacker and Koscielny as his starting pair as it would be foolish to break up that partnership after such an impressive end of season run. Where that leaves Vermaelen, I don’t know. It appears like he’s willing to stay and fight for his place but he has his place in the Belgian national team to worry about ahead of next summers World Cup so you wouldn’t blame him if he looked for a move.

Read more Arsenal transfer news

So there’s you latest dose of Arsenal transfer news. Would you like Cesar to join the club this summer and do you think Vermaelen should stay? Get involved in the comments section below.