Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal still hope to come to an agreement with Premier League rivals Fulham regarding a January deal for out-of-favour right-back Cedric Soares, according to 90Min.
Funnily enough, Cedric is perhaps the most natural right-back option in Arteta’s entire squad.
That has not stopped the former Southampton and Sporting Lisbon man from falling behind Takehiro Tomiyasu and centre-half-turned-full-back Ben White in the Gunners pecking order, however.
Cedric has played just 27 minutes of Premier League football for a side sitting seven points clear of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in top spot. And Arsenal will not stand in his way should the Portugal international look to leave in January.
In fact, per 90Min, they are actively looking to move Cedric out the door.
Arsenal and Fulham negotiating January move for Cedric Soares
Fulham have already ‘agreed a fee’ for a player who worked under Cottagers boss Marco Silva at Sporting Lisbon. Cedric’s £75,000-a-week wages are proving to be a far greater obstacle, however, with the deal stalling like a rusty old Vauxhall Nova spluttering in the hard shoulder (Spotrac).
Fulham, the report adds, want Arsenal to stump up 50 per cent of Cedric’s wages. Understandably, the Gunners are not quite so keen on that idea, even if there remains a desire on Arsenal’s part to get a deal done.
There is still a chance, of course, that Cedric could volunteer to lower his wage demands. First-team football at Fulham, after all, will be far easier to come by than at the Emirates Stadium. Then again, the prospect of becoming a Premier League winner with Arsenal is one that may appeal to the 31-year-old, even if if Cedric looks set play a distinctly backseat role.
Fulham are also in negotiations with Roma regarding Rick Karsdorp. The Netherlands international does not have a future at the Serie A outfit after a very public falling out with Jose Mourinho. Where have we heard that before, hey?
“Many have forgotten about the best version of Karsdorp,” argues Roma director Tiago Pinto. “(He) started 60 games in 18 months under Mourinho.
“He is on the market, but he will never leave for free. If he goes, we must find a way to keep the team balanced. But not necessarily by signing a new full-back.”
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