AC Milan closing in on Julio Cesar

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

AC Milan are closing in on the signing of QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Goal.com can reveal.

The 33-year-old joined the west London club last summer from Inter and his performances have represented a rare highlight in a season that seems almost certain to end in relegation.

BRAZILIANT
CESAR'S SEASON SO FAR
GAMES PLAYED CONCEDED CLEAN SHEETS SAVES	22 34 5 88

Cesar has recently won his place back in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil side and is keen to return to Italy, rather than risk appearing at the 2014 World Cup on home soil by plying his trade in the Championship with QPR.

Goal.com understands Cesar is close to agreeing a two-year contract worth £1.8 million-a-year with the Rossoneri, who will install the former Flamengo man as their No.1 and retain Christian Abbiati as back-up, while Marco Amelia will be allowed to leave on a free.

Despite his long-standing interest in the player Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, who made an enquiry for the goalkeeper last summer, distanced himself with a move Cesar on Thursday although he adopted a similar stance during the club's negotiations with Manchester City for Mario Balotelli.

Galliani told reporters: "Julio Cesar is an excellent keeper, but no, there are no negotiations on course with him or with Queens Park Rangers."

Cesar spent seven highly successful years with Milan’s fierce rivals Inter, winning 14 major honours and playing a key role in the club’s treble season of 2009-10 under Jose Mourinho.