Cedric Soares’ loan move from Arsenal to Fulham is still on, but both clubs are still waiting on Shane Duffy’s transfer from Brighton.

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 Odegaard of Arsenal celebrate 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)

Football.London report that Cedric Soares is still on course to complete a loan move to Fulham in the January transfer window, but the deal is still being held up by Shane Duffy’s likely transfer from Brighton.

If and when Fulham turn Duffy’s loan into a permanent deal, Football.London report that Fulham will then get the green light to complete Cedric’s signing.

The hold-up is due to the face that Fulham have Duffy and Dan James on loan, and the Premier League has a cap of two loanees from other Premier League clubs.

As a result, they can’t loan Cedric unless they either make one of their current loan deals into a permanent move, or terminate the loan early.

The Daily Mail initially reported that Fulham would solve this problem by signing Duffy on a permanent deal.

That deal is the cheaper of the two to complete, compared to bringing in James permanently, so it’s the preferred option this month.

Cedric Soares playing for Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Cedric Soares playing for Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

Fulham and Arsenal have already agreed on a six-month loan deal, and Fulham will cover Cedric’s current wages in full. Cedric reportedly earns close to £100,000-a-week at Arsenal.

Charles Watts reports that it was a tough decision for Cedric to leave this month, given Arsenal’s position in a title race. But his desire to play regularly and Marco Silva’s determination to sign him won out.

Now it’s a race against time to get the deals done before the deadline.