Arsenal target Julio Cesar is close to joining Serie A club Fiorentina from Championship side QPR.

The goalkeeper is keen to leave Loftus Road after only a year at the club in which he suffered relegation from the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger was hopeful of landing the 33-year-old, however reports in Italy now suggest the Brazilian is close to agreeing a deal with the Viola after their €3m offer was accepted by QPR.

Cesar nearly joined fellow Italian side Napoli, but his £90k-a-week wages saw the deal fall through as Rafa Benitez moved for Liverpool's Pepe Reina.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp wants to get the Brazilian international off the club's wage bill to free up money for is own transfer activity.