Cedric Soares might have agreed on personal terms ahead of a move to besiktas, but the Turkish side are yet to find an agreement with Arsenal.
According to Football Insider, Besiktas are closing in on versatile Arsenal defender Cedric Soares, having reportedly agreed on personal terms with the right-back. The Turkish side has not found an agreement with Arsenal yet, with talks set to continue either for a loan or a permanent transfer.
Cedric Soares agrees personal terms with Besiktas.
One player Arsenal fans are eager to leave is Cedric Soares, with the right-back no longer a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans. The Portuguese full-back did make the bench for the last eight games, but that’s mainly due to the many injuries they have in their defence.
He also made a rare start in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away at PSV Eindhoven, but beyond that has been out of matchday squads for large parts of the season. The Gunners had been ready to cash in on the defender if they were to receive a reasonable offer.
Much like many of their players before, suitors will want to sign players like Cedric for free, considering he has only six months left on his current deal. Besiktas have shown an interest lately and are ready to step up the chase, having already agreed on personal terms with the versatile Arsenal defender.
There was also interest from their rivals, Trabzonspor, but it appears Besiktas are well ahead in the hunt. Now all that matters is an agreement with Arsenal, who are reporteldy adamant about a fee in exchange of the player. The Gunners are also open to a loan fee if the Turkish giants want to take the right-back on a temporary basis.
Are Arsenal looking for a new defender?
Arsenal have seen links to a new central defender, and in Mikel Arteta’s grand scheme of things, such a signing would help them shore up the backline. Takehiro Tomiyasu has played on both flanks, providing cover for first choice full backs Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the former pencilled in as their preferred choice at right back.
Bringing in a central defender might help Ben White and Tomiyasu in the wide roles, while Arteta might have ample cover in the central areas. There are links to several other right-back options, with Sacha Boey and Jeremie Frimpong, but as things stand, Arteta might prioritise a centre-back.
As for Cedric, he no longer features in Arteta’s plans, and it will be a wise decision to sell him now with some minor value on his contract. Whether Besiktas agree to pay Arsenal a small fee remains the question, but the idea is certainly not out of the possibility of the Turkish giants.