Benfica keen on Julio Cesar
Portuguese newspaper O Jogo understands that Benfica are the latest club to have joined the chase for QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Following the relegation to the Championship, the Brazilian is looking to leave the club this summer, and he has so far been linked with a host of Europe’s top sides.
According to O Jogo, Benfica boss Jorge Jesus is prepared to pull all the stops to lure the 33-year-old to Estadio da Luz, but the player’s high wage could prove to be a major issue.
Namely, Cesar currently earns €3.2 million per campaign and he is not prepared to take a pay cut to facilitate his move away from the club.
His agent yesterday revealed that Fiorentina were also keen, but also stated that his client would only consider a four-year contract.
Julio Cesar did nothing to harm his reputation while at Loftus Road, having produced some stunning saves in the Premier League, but that ultimately proved insufficient to keep the Rangers in the top flight.
Saivet linked to Serie A move
Genoa are seriously considering making a proposal for Bordeaux forward Henri Saivet, L’Equipe has revealed.
With Alberto Gilardino, Ze Eduardo and Antonio Floro Flores the only recognized attackers in the squad, the Rossoblu are determined to sign another striker this summer.
L’Equipe has learned that the Stadio Luigi Ferraris outfit have made Bordeaux’s Henri Saivet their number one target.
The same source has suggested that Genoa scouts had the player watched in the Trophee des Champions match against PSG, where the 22-year-old scored the opening goal of the game.
Les Girondins have no choice but to cash in on their prized asset given that he has rejected a new contract offer while having another year left on his current deal.
Saivet, a France Under-21 international, has been showing a lot of potential of late, and he has scored 8 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches last term.
Saint Etienne start search for new striker
Ligue 1 giants Saint Etienne have been linked with a number of high-profile players as they look to sign a new centre forward.
Les Verts stayed without top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer as he was sold to Borussia Dortmund, but they have only recently started searching for his replacement.
According to L’Equipe, Saint Etienne have been offered Rennes striker Mevlut Erding, but they have opted against pursuing their interest in the Turkey international.
Meanwhile, les Verts remain in talks with free agent Carlton Cole, but they are also exploring other possibilities.
West Ham forward Modibo Maiga is also on their radar at the moment, as is Sochaux starlet Sloan Privat.
Other players on their hit-list are Monaco wantaway striker Ibrahim Toure, Stuttgart’s Johan Audel and River Plate hotshot Rogelio Funes Mori.
For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2013/14 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.
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