Arsenal and Southampton have reportedly struck a six-month loan deal for Cedric Soares to swap allegiances this winter
Determined to plug their leaky defense, which has managed just four blank sheets in 24 Premier League fixtures, the Londoners pulled off two deals in less than 24 hours.
Indeed, the Gunners recklessly continue working on strengthening their fragile backline. After signing Spanish central defender Pablo Mari on loan from Flamengo, they have now come one step away from signing Cedric Soares.
As reported by Sky Sports, Southampton’s right-back is on the verge of completing his loan switch to the Emirates until the end of the season.
🏴📰| #AFC
— afcSource™ (@afcSource) January 29, 2020
Arsenal are expected to sign 28 year old Southampton full-back, Cedric Soares within 24hrs. Loan until end of season, £5m fee including full salary cover. [1/2] [@David_Ornstein via @TheAthleticUK] 🥇 pic.twitter.com/YKSyy8RSTg
With Ainsley Maitland-Niles being the only alternative to the injury-prone Hector Bellerin, Mikel Arteta had to intervene in the market to bolster his options at the right-back position.
The Portuguese defender has not featured for the Saints since picking up a knee injury at the beginning of January and has been tipped to leave St. Mary’s Stadium following Kyle Walker-Peters’ arrival from Tottenham.
If Soares lives up to expectations in north London, Arsenal will be able to sign him for free at the end of the season when his contract with Southampton is due to expire.
