Mikel Arteta has yet to decide on letting Cedric Soares leave Arsenal with Fulham hoping to sign the right back during this month’s transfer window.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Fulham are ‘in talks’ with Arsenal over a deal that would see Cedric head across London.
It’s stated that loan or permanent deals are on the table for Cedric with Fulham open to either.
A loan would be a little trickier though as Fulham have already hit their quota of two Premier League loans at once, with Shane Duffy and Daniel James on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United respectively.
One of those deals would have to be cancelled or turned permanent for Cedric to join on loan.
The deal allegedly isn’t close just yet because Mikel Arteta is ‘yet to be convinced’ that letting the Portuguese defender leave is a good idea.
Cedric offers cover at both right back and left back, which could be vital for Arteta as Arsenal attempt to win the Premier League title.
Arsenal defender Cedric surely fancies Fulham move
Cedric has played just twice in the Premier League this season, totalling 28 minutes across a couple of substitute appearances.
It hasn’t even been better in the Europa League, with Cedric playing just two minutes in Europe.
Arsenal are using Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko in their full back spots but have quality depth in Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.
Cedric is basically third choice in both spots, but may even be fourth on the left given that Tomiyasu can play there too.
The 31-year-old would surely love to win the Premier League with Arsenal, even if he’s a fringe player for the next few months.
Yet the emotional pull of signing for compatriot Marco Silva at Fulham may be strong.
Cedric played under Silva at Sporting in Portugal and the Fulham boss now wants a reunion.
Cedric would be in line for a key role at Fulham, playing week in and week out in West London.
This is a tough decision for Cedric but until Arteta makes his mind up one way or another, the full back is left waiting.
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