Fulham are set to submit an offer for Arsenal full back Cedric Soares, according to the Evening Standard.
The Portuguese international has become Marco Silva’s top target for the January transfer window following Kevin Mbabu’s disappointing start in SW6. Silva sees his former Sporting full back as ideal competition for Kenny Tete after Fulham baulked at Roma’s £10.6m asking price for Rik Karsdrop – and the Whites are hopeful of seeing off rival suitors in the shape of Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen to conclude a quick deal.
The 31 year-old is keen to remain in London and be reunited with Silva having seen how well his former Arsenal team-mate Bernd Leno has taken to life at Craven Cottage since his summer switch. Cedric won the Taca de Portugal in 2015 with Silva at Sporting before sealing a £4.7m move to Southampton, where he made over a hundred appearances and reached the League Cup final.
He has fallen behind Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu this season, making just four appearances under Mikel Arteta as the Gunners have stormed to the top of the Premier League table. Cedric has won 34 senior caps for Portugal, starring in their Euro 2016 triumph having been Fernando Santos’ second-choice right back going into the tournament.
