Fulham are now trying to sign Shane Duffy permanently from Brighton & Hove Albion. The defender’s situation will clear a path for Cedric Soares to seal a loan transfer from Arsenal.
That is according to Sky Sports, which reports Fulham and Brighton are debating what the conditions are to make Duffy’s loan permanent. Marco Silva is eager to secure a loan deal with Arsenal for Cedric. But he has already filled the Cottagers’ Premier League loan quota.
As well as Duffy, Silva signed Dan James in a temporary deal from Leeds United back in the summer. But the west London club are focusing on making the centre-half’s move full-time over the winger’s. Even though he has only featured in four top-flight matches this season.
Fulham believe Duffy offers the superior route to facilitate a loan transfer from Arsenal for Cedric. He only has six months remaining on a £53k-a-week contract at the Amex Stadium. So, one option is for the Cottagers to buy him out of his contract for the rest of the season.
An alternative for Fulham is to let Duffy leave Craven Cottage with the 31-year-old open to a transfer elsewhere. He has not featured in the Premier League since October and has not made their past four matchday squads. But the Seagulls star is yet to earn any other offers.
Arsenal are waiting for Fulham to clear a path for Cedric’s dry loan transfer
Fulham are keen to resolve Duffy’s situation quickly to secure Cedric’s loan transfer from Arsenal. A deal between the west and north London teams for the right-back is now close to being finalised. But his transfer across the capital, as it is only on loan, remains blocked.
Arsenal are happy to send Cedric to Craven Cottage as Mikel Arteta has only played the 31-year-old in two Premier League games this season. He has further only featured from their bench and not since November. Nor has Cedric made the Gunners’ past three teamsheets.
If Cedric – who Gilberto Silva once called ‘fantastic’ – joins Fulham in time, he can feature in the FA Cup. Arteta did not name the defender in his team that beat Oxford United in the third round. The Cottagers take on Sunderland at home in the fourth round this Saturday.
Terms are near enough in place between Arsenal and Fulham for Cedric’s transfer. ESPN has reported that the Cottagers have agreed to cover the 34-cap international’s £100k-a-week salary in full. It will be a dry loan without an option or obligation for Fulham to buy.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
