On Monday, we talked through the logic behind Arsenal’s pursuit of Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Júlio César, whose wages north of $100,000 per week mean he’ll move from the Championship club for a minimal free. What we didn’t discuss was whether César would want to move to Arsenal. We just assumed the move would be a good one for the Confederations Cup Golden Gloves winner, but what if another, more prestigious club were in for César? Maybe his Arsenal move wouldn’t be so obvious after all.
Whether Barcelona are really in for César, as reported, probably depends on other moves. For most of the calendar year, the Catalans been linked with Borussia Moenchenglabach’s Marc-André Ter Stegen, though the 21-year-old would a long-term move at a much greater cost. That move may also require coming to some kind of decision as to what to do with Victor Valdes in 2013-14, the incumbent goalkeeper entering the final year of his contract.
Then there’s Pepe Reina, the Liverpool goalkeeper who has seen Simon Mignolet arrive at Anfield from Sunderland. The former Barcelona product has been perpetually linked with a move back home. If both he and César were available, who would Barcelona choose? It seems Reina is far more likely to be the choice.
The playing time issue also doesn’t exactly add up in a César move to Barcelona, either. If Barça went out and got a Ter Stegen, they’re implicitly saying they’ve found their goalkeeper of the future, a find that might see them let Valdes go and concede that future is now. Reina and César, however, because of their ages, aren’t necessarily long-term moves, though you never know with goalkeepers. Whether they’d replace Valdes or provide insurance against his departure (now or next year) is less certain.
That would be a problem for César who, on the back of his Confederations Cup performance, is looking for consistent first team opportunities to consolidate his position as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s number one. As long as Valdes is on the books at Barcelona, a move to the Nou Camp presents too much of a risk. And even if Valdes moves on before César arrives, Ter Stegen lurks.
If it were a straight up choice between Barcelona and Arsenal, César might be inclined to join Dani Alves and Neymar in Cataluyna. But ahead of 2014, playing time will be paramount. And César is more likely to see playing time in North London.
