Cedric is off on loan to Fulham and the Cottagers are now trying to negotiate a price with Arsenal to sign him permanently in the summer.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Cedric Soares and Martin Oedegaard of Arsenal celebrates following their side's victory in the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux on November 12, 2022. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Cedric Soares and Martin Oedegaard of Arsenal celebrates following their side’s victory in the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux on November 12, 2022. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

Fulham and Arsenal have reached a loan agreement for Cedric Soares until the end of June.

According to Sky Sports, Fulham are keen to sign the Arsenal 31-year-old on a permanent basis when his loan expires in the summer.

The club is reportedly exploring the option of making his transfer permanent in June if they can agree the right price with Arsenal.

What that might be is hard to tell.

Arsenal vastly overpaid for the defender who has been injured or disappointing for his two-and-a-half years with the club but, for whatever reason, Fulham have doggedly pursued him since at least November.

Cedric’s loan move from Arsenal to Fulham is currently pending due to a Premier League rule limiting Premier League clubs to two loaned players from other Premier League clubs.

Fulham need to either make one of their current loan deals permanent or end the loan early before they can loan Cedric.

A permanent move for Shane Duffy from Brighton is seen as the preferred option as it would be cheaper when compared to trying to sign their other loanee, Dan James.

Both clubs have agreed on a six-month loan deal with Fulham covering Cedric’s wages £100kpw wages.