Cedric Soares is set to stay at Arsenal this summer football.london understands. The Portuguese international attracted interest from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, leading to speculation that he could be on his way out of the club this summer.
Reports have linked him with a move to Newcastle, while another has suggested that Porto have put in a £4 million bid for him. football.london understands that these are wide of the mark, though and that no offers have come in at the time of writing.
It was a tough start to the season for the 30-year-old, who played just 36 minutes in the Premier League between September and February after the deadline day signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu. However, as the Japan international began to struggle with calf and hamstring injuries, Cedric was asked to fill in and did so ably for much of the back end of the campaign.
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Mikel Arteta described him as Arsenal's best player in the final third in the past. He demonstrated his attacking credentials by putting in more crosses per game than any other player in the Gunners squad and grabbing an assist. Cedric also showed the lesser spoken about defensive side to his game as he made more tackles per 90 than any Arsenal player (2.4) and managed the second-highest tackle success rate in the squad with 82.2%.
Above all, though, his professionalism has drawn praise from those within the club. "It's not a coincidence," said Arteta when asked about the Portugal international's impressive form.
"When you have the professionalism, the dedication, the habit and obviously the experience and ability that Cedric has, and you never give up, good things happen to you. He's been patient, he's been keeping quiet and working hard and accepting the situation, and when he's had the chance, he's done well."
Cedric has now headed off on holiday for the summer and football.london understands that the player is expecting to report to London Colney when the Arsenal players return for pre-season in a few weeks.
The right-back position is expected to be one where there is plenty of activity for Arsenal this summer. football.london understands that Ryan Alebiosu could well leave the club on a permanent basis, with Championship sides Bristol City, Blackburn and Preston all reportedly interested in the 20-year-old, who has just one year left on his contract. Youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy has also impressed several during his loan spell at Lincoln City, while Reuell Walters was rewarded for his fine performance for Kevin Betsy's under-23 side this season with a call-up to the England under-18s.
Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are both expected to return to the club this summer following their respective loan spells at Real Betis and Roma, with uncertainty remaining over where their futures lie. football.london also understands that the Gunners are scouting Bologna's Aaron Hickey, who can play right-back despite primarily being a left-back.
