Fulham are now close to sealing the signing of Cedric Soares from Arsenal, according to a report.

arsenal v brighton and hove albion carabao cup third round 1
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion is put under pressure by Cedric Soares of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on November 09, 2022. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Alex Crook of talkSPORT reports that Fulham are close to finalising a deal to bring in Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares, after links between the two in recent weeks.

Lyall Thomas had reported for Sky Sports recently that Fulham want to sign Cedric on a permanent deal in the January transfer window.

The Premier League club made enquiries about Cedric late in the summer window, and they’ve been following up on that interest since then.

Right-back is a priority position for Fulham in the winter window, and the club hoped their positive links with Cedric’s agent Kia Joorabchian help their case. Joorabchian brought Willian to Fulham in the summer.

Cedric has a deal at Arsenal lasting until 2024, but he’s behind Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the pecking order at right-back.

ESPN reported in November that Fulham, Bayer Leverkusen, and Villarreal were all interested in signing Cedric in the January window.

ESPN went on to say that Fulham were leading the race, and it seems they’re now close to landing their man.

Cedric Soares of Arsenal during the warm-up before Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London - 23rd April 2021. Copyright: Holly Allison / TPI / Shutterstock
Cedric Soares of Arsenal during the warm-up before Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London – 23rd April 2021. Copyright: Holly Allison / TPI / Shutterstock

Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge added in November that Cedric wants to move on, so he’s not likely to cause any problems.

As well as having an existing relationship with Cedric’s agent, Fulham also have a relationship with Arsenal’s transfer team, having agreed a deal for Bernd Leno’s move in the summer.

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