Now just a straight fight between Spaniards and Napoli for highly rated shot stopper.
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Liga outfit Villarreal have now joined the race to sign in-demand Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar this summer, reports talkSPORT.co.uk.
The experienced Brazil international has been the subject of much speculation of late linking the player with a possible cut-price move away from Loftus Road next season, with the likes of both Arsenal and Napoli believed to be keen on landing the shot stopper.
However, Gunners head coach Arsene Wenger appears to have dropped out of the running for the 33-year-old, instead turning his attentions elsewhere for a new No 1, seemingly leaving the path clear for recently appointed Napoli boss Rafa Benitez to bring the player to Naples this summer.
But the Spaniard now faces competition for Cesar’s signature after it emerged that Villarreal are also keen on Cesar, who has only been in west London for a little under a year.
The Brazilian arrived at Loftus Road from Serie A giants Inter Milan last August on a four-year contract, however, despite shining between the sticks for Harry Redknapp’s strugglers last season, featuring in 26 matches overall in all competitions for QPR, including 24 in the top flight, his form in goal was still not enough to prevent his new side from being relegated to the Championship in May.