Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could yet block Cedric Soares from joining Fulham in the January transfer window. Marco Silva is eager to see his compatriot go from north to west London.
That is according to The Sun, which reports Silva is pushing the Cottagers to agree to terms with the Gunners. Fulham chiefs have also already spoken with Cedric’s representatives on a move across the capital. But the defender’s wages have put a huge obstacle in their way.
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Fulham are reluctant to match the £75k-a-week salary that Cedric earns with Arsenal. The 31-year-old’s terms at Emirates Stadiums also do not expire until June 2024 after penning a four-year deal in 2020. Arteta retained the defender after his initial loan from Southampton.
Fulham are yet to hold official negotiations with Arsenal to finalise the terms of a transfer owing to Cedric’s salary. But Silva is eager to acquire the 34-cap Portugal international as he bids to build on a strong start to the 2022/23 season as the Championship title-holders.
La Liga outfit Villarreal and Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are also waiting in the wings in case a move to Fulham falls through. It would most likely be an initial loan move should the Cottagers advance their interest. But Gunners chiefs would want an obligation to buy.
Mikel Arteta could yet block Cedric Soares’ transfer from Arsenal to Fulham
Arteta could yet block any form of transfer for Cedric to leave Arsenal for Fulham over the January window, however. The Spaniard is yet to give the go-ahead for the Sporting Lisbon product to leave the Emirates. Instead, he may yet favour he stays to provide vital depth.
Cedric – whom Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva once called ‘fantastic’ – has only featured four times across all competitions this season. His appearances include just two Premier League games totalling 27 minutes. His sole start so far this term was in the EFL Cup in November.
Arteta started Cedric as Brighton & Hove Albion dumped Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup in north London. While the Spaniard has left the full-back as an unused substitute during four Europa League group stage ties. Cedric has watched eight league games from the bench.
Yet any transfer to Fulham could fall through if Arteta feels Arsenal still need Cedric to give depth. Ben White has emerged as the first-choice right-back at the Emirates this term. But Cedric can also play at left-back, so he can cover Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has also suffered with frequent fitness problems throughout this year. So, Arteta could risk leaving himself short by allowing Cedric to leave in January without a replacement arriving. And Arsenal may struggle to find a player happy to sit on the bench.
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