Fulham are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares during the January transfer window.
The Portugal international, 31, has been limited to just two Premier League appearances this season, with Ben White becoming the club’s first-choice right-back. He has not got much of a look in under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium and could leave for regular time.
According to Sky Sports, Fulham are looking to provide Cedric Soares with an escape route out of Arsenal, with the full-back not in Arteta’s first-team plans. Arteta has used Takehiro Tomiyasu as Ben White’s deputy at right-back this term, forcing Cedric to accept a bit-part role.
Fulham were interested in signing Cedric in the summer transfer window and have revived their interest in the full-back, after seeing him struggle for game time at Arsenal, the report adds.
Cedric Soares to Fulham—Good move?
Fulham boss Marco Silva has prioritised reinforcing the right-back and midfield unit in the January transfer window.
The right-back position has been problematic for Silva, with Kenny Tete struggling with injuries and Kevin Mbabu failing to make much of an impact since his arrival from Wolfsburg in the summer transfer window. As a result, Silva is keen on bringing in a new right-back and has set his sights on Arsenal outcast Cedric Soares.
Cedric signed for Arsenal from Southampton in 2020 and has gone on to make 38 Premier League appearances. He made 21 league appearances last term but has had to be content with a squad-rotation option, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of him in the right-back pecking order.
The 2016 Euro Cup winner would bring a wealth of experience to Fulham having turned racked up 158 Premier League appearances, turning out for clubs such as Southampton and Arsenal. Primarily a right-back, Cedric is more than capable of operating at left-back or as a wing-back, and such versatility could come in handy for the Fulham tactician.
Fulham fans will no doubt hope they can bring the Portuguese full-back in as a winter acquisition to strengthen their defensive unit, with Silva’s squad lacking real quality in the full-back department. It will be useful having an experienced and seasoned campaign like Cedric in the squad as the Cottagers aim for a top-half finish after enjoying a solid first half of the 2022/23 campaign upon promotion.
At 31, Cedric will be a risk-free addition to Silva’s side. Fulham are very much keen on signing the Portuguese from Arsenal and it will be interesting to see if they can bring him to Craven Cottage for a nominal fee in January.
