Fulham are set to sign Arsenal full back Cedric Soares on loan, according to a report this morning from ESPN.
There has been a breakthrough in protracted negotiations to sign the Portuguese international, who is Marco Silva’s number one January transfer target. The 31 year-old, who has made just four appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, will move to Craven Cottage on loan until the end of the season with the entirety of the full back’s wages being paid by the Whites.
The only wrinkle in that arrangement would be that Shane Duffy’s loan from Brighton would need to be cancelled to allow another Premier League loan deal – as there is currently no obligation to buy Soares inserted in this proposed four-month loan switch. Cedric, who can operate on either side of the back four, is eager to be reunited with Silva, with whom he won the Taca de Portugal at Sporting in 2014.
The Euro 2016 winner will provide competition for Kenny Tete at right back and cover for Antonee Robinson on the other flank. Silva made the signing of a right back a priority this month after being disappointed with Kevin Mbabu’s start to his Fulham career having signed from Wolfsburg in the summer.
Why Duffy why not James?
Could be James I suppose – but Silva was quite emphatic that he wanted to keep him to the end of the season when he was asked earlier this month.
Not very happy about this Why Duffy? What has Duffy done it should be James almost defineately also would love to see Doucore come to us and why is there no option to buy Cedric? also any news about Pablo Maia i understand they want him till the end of the season he’s another really good player we should be going for
This has to be thought of as a short-term solution, right? Soares is 31 and hasn’t played recently. James has played much more for us than Duffy, but with Solomon back and Kebano(oo-oh) hopefully coming back in a few weeks, James is more expendable. I would love for us to add a quality CB in the summer market when the prices aren’t as inflated, though I think we do have real talent in the academy and should give them opportunities with the first team.
Can not be Duffy !! You will only have three centre backs left !! Must be James here ,unless someyhing else is brewing !!
This is ridiculous. There are better RB’s out there than Cedric. Then having to pay his wages with no buy clause is even more moronic. Then to get rid of Duffy or James for this player on extremely expensive wages seems extreme. Silva has been hell bent on this transfer and in my opinion we need cover for Palhinha and Mitro.