Arsenal defender Cedric Soares looks set to leave the club four years after he first arrived, ahead of the transfer deadline next week.
The 32-year-old has made just two appearances all season, and despite a lack of depth in the back line, Arsenal are still willing to let him leave.
Cedric’s contract expires at the end of the season, and there is interest from several clubs in Spain and Portugal. However, Galatasaray are now nearing a deal to replace Bayern Munich-bound Sacha Boey, whom Arsenal were also linked with.
Cedric’s transfer could have taken the form of a loan before he departed on a free in the summer, which was the same way he joined the club, but it now appears that it will be a permanent transfer to end his time in North London.
Charles Watts reveals key detail ahead of Cedric Soares Arsenal exit
Journalist Charles Watts was speaking on his YouTube channel when he revealed that the veteran is set to join Galatasaray on a permanent deal rather than a loan.
“My information on Cedric Soares is that Galatasaray are now in the running for Cedric. You may already know Besiktas are looking at him. Some clubs in Spain as well and Portugal are interested in Cedric before the end of the transfer window,” he stated.
“Arsenal are open to letting Cedric go, Cedric is open to go himself. Galatasaray just agreed to a deal with Bayern Munich for Sacha Boey.
“My information is that Galatasaray have put feelers out to enquire about Cedric Soares as a potential replacement for Sacha Boey. It’s not done yet, I understand it will be a proper transfer, it’s not going to be a loan until the end of the season when his contract’s up.
“Whether any finances will be involved, I have no idea. From Arsenal’s point of view, you’re not going to get much for Cedric, but just getting his £100k-a-week wages off the wage bill between now and the end of the seasonal will save a couple of million at least.”
Cedric exit is a financial boost for Arsenal
Even if there is no fee involved in the deal to take Cedric to Galatasaray, leaving permanently indicates that Arsenal will not be covering any of his wages like they have done with loan deals in the past.
Giving Cedric a contract of that size, when he had failed to appear for a single game during a six month loan spell from January 2020, was a bizarre move in itself, and he failed to impress during his time at the Emirates, despite Mikel Arteta describing him as “gifted.”
With Thomas Partey now returning to training, Mikel Arteta has another option at right-back, with it clear that Cedric will not be trusted at all between now and the end of the season.
Cutting his wages from the bill will be a small boost for Arsenal in what has otherwise been a lengthy, and unnecessary deal over the last four years.
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