Villarreal Interested in Arsenal Star Cedric Soares

Villarreal has expressed interest in signing Arsenal’s Cedric Soares, according to recent reports. The Spanish club has been monitoring the 32-year-old since the summer and is planning a move in January.

A Potential Loan Deal or Permanent Transfer

Villarreal has discussed both a loan deal for the rest of the season and a permanent transfer with Arsenal for Cedric Soares. The Portuguese right-back’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the season, making him an attractive target for the LaLiga side.

Teammates with Francis Coquelin

If Cedric joins Villarreal, he will have the opportunity to become teammates with former Arsenal player Francis Coquelin. This potential reunion adds another layer of interest to the transfer speculation.

Interest from Turkish Club

In addition to Villarreal, an unnamed Turkish club has also shown interest in Cedric Soares, as reported by ESPN. This indicates that there may be multiple options for the player if he decides to leave Arsenal.

Arsenal Open to Selling Cedric

Arsenal is open to cashing in on Cedric Soares in the upcoming transfer window to avoid losing him for free. The right-back, who earns close to £100,000-a-week, was initially expected to leave in the summer but a move did not materialize.

Fallen Down the Pecking Order

Cedric has become surplus to requirements at Arsenal, having only made three appearances this season. He has fallen behind players like Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jurrien Timber in the pecking order.

Cedric’s Recent Performance

Cedric made his first and only start of the season in the 1-1 Champions League draw against PSV on Tuesday. This limited playing time further supports the idea that a move away from Arsenal may be beneficial for his career.

Arsenal Career and Loan Spell

Since joining Arsenal from Southampton in 2020, Cedric has played a total of 61 matches for the club. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham, indicating that he may be open to another temporary move to secure regular playing time.