Arsenal are reportedly considering a late January move for Southampton defender Cedric Soares, with Mikel Arteta keen to beef up the options at the back.
The Telegraph have reported of Arsenal’s interest in Cedric Soares. Mikel Arteta is desperate to add to his current options at the back and is considering a move for the Southampton full-back, who will reportedly close under £6 million.
The price mentioned is a bargain and will be of great use, with Arsenal having spent a lot during the 2019-20 season already. Soares also has less than six months left on his Southampton deal as of now and is eligible to sign pre-contracts with foreign clubs.
If Arsenal wish to sign the 28-year-old on a free transfer, they will have to wait a long time before he is allowed to sign a pre-contract with a domestic league club. This also leaves the Gunners prone to a potential poaching, with foreign clubs likely to jump at the opportunity as well.
Cedric Soares arrived at Southampton from Sporting CP in July, 2015 and established himself at the club right away. Over the years, the 28-year-old lapped up 138 appearances for Southampton and was, for a brief period, recognised as one of the best wide defenders in the Premier League. Arsenal’s interest makes sense.
Calum Chambers is out for the rest of the season, which leaves Arteta with just Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as options for Arteta. While Bellerin has improved his form under the former Arsenal player and was the captain for Arsenal in the 2-2 draw against Chelsea, Maitland-Niles has been preferred over him at times.
Bringing in Soares would not just shore up the right side of the back four, but the left side as well, with Soares having played a few times on the left as well. The price mentioned in the article is also a big motivator for Arsenal, who would love to bring in someone without creating a hole in the budget.
It depends on the logistics of the move from Arsenal’s point of view, with Southampton likely to not have a problem with generating some cash flow from the 28-year-old’s departure rather than see him leave on a free transfer.
