Serie A

Turmoil At Inter As Julio Cesar Says “I’m not leaving!”

I wrote yesterday how Julio Cesar might be the next veteran to leave Inter, and less than 24 hours later, the Inter goalkeeper said that he is staying at Inter and if Samir Handanovic arrives at Inter he will be his competition, not his replacement.

Handanovic is expected to officially sign for Inter on Thursday, completing a €11m-plus-player transfer from Udinese.

But Cesar is insistent that it does not signal the end of his Nerazzurro career.

“Handanovic is a good ‘keeper, this would be best for us…we would have three great goalkeepers,” he calmly told Sky Sport 24 on Wednesday evening.

“I have a contract until 2014, and am an employee of Inter’s. I think I will stay and play for my position, Inter have a great squad and a great way of playing.

“The Coach will decide who takes to the field, there will be enough respect between us all.

“If he arrives at Inter it is because he is good.”

The Brazilian was asked if a move to rivals Milan would be an option for him.

“There is absolutely nothing in those rumours, everyone talks about me but there’s nothing. Officially there is nothing.

“Maicon [who looks set to leave] and Lucio [who already has]? I’m losing all my Brazilian friends, I hope that Lucio does well though. Juventus have made a fantastic move.”

Fighting words from Julio Cesar, but you do not spend €11m-plus on a back-up goalkeeper. And something tells me that Julio Cesar will not be a quiet back-up.