Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares is reportedly wanted by Premier League side Fulham ahead of the January transfer window. The Portuguese has struggled for minutes this campaign following Ben White's emergence in his position, forcing uncertainty over his future in north London.
Cedric, 31, has been targeted by Fulham as Marco Silva looks to add additional top flight quality to his side at Craven Cottage following their promotion last season. The Cottagers find themselves ninth in the Premier League table after winning five of their 15 games, surprising a few with their performances since August.
Sky Sports have reported that Fulham are keen to end Cedric's time at the Emirates Stadium to add competition to Kenny Tete at right-back. It's understood that they made enquiries for the defender in the summer transfer window but the former Southampton man remained with the Gunners.
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However, he has only managed four appearances this season and football.london reported earlier in the campaign that Fulham were joined by Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen as interested parties.
Cedric's position in Mikel Arteta's pecking order has dropped further than he would have liked following last season's signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu. Alongside White, the Japan international is preferred by the Gunners boss at right-back meaning Cedric's chances of regular minutes are seriously limited.
Arsenal are expected to be busy themselves in the January transfer window. football.london understand that a new winger and central midfielder are the priorities ahead of their exciting Premier League title race with Manchester City.
The sale of a squad player like Cedric would open up a slot in the Gunners' Premier League squad and decrease the wage bill in north London. Despite CIES Football Observatory valuing the defender at only €4million (£3.4million), technical director Edu may consider sanctioning the deal to help cough up the reported €100million (£85.9million) Shakhtar Donetsk want for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
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