Arsenal are reportedly determined to fend off interest from Roma and complete a deal for Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar next week.

Cesar has put a decision on his future on hold in recent weeks, choosing to focus completely on his national side's Confederations Cup campaign.

The Queens Park Rangers stopper is free to leave Loftus Road this summer, with the Gunners leading a race for his signature which also includes Serie A duo Roma and AC Milan.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains confident of landing the 33-year-old in a cut-price switch when he returns from international duty, according to the Daily Mail.

Wenger is reportedly desperate for a quality keeper to rival Wojciech Szczesny for a place in the starting XI, with Lukasz Fabianski thought to be surplus to requirements at the Emirates.

Vito Mannone also moved closer to ending his time in North London yesterday, with Arsenal accepting a £2.8m offer for the Italian stopper from Sunderland.