Fulham will sign Shane Duffy permanently this month in order to enable the loan signing of Cedric Soares from Arsenal, according to a report.

Fulham have been heavily linked with the imminent signing of Cedric Soares from Arsenal before the January transfer window closes, but the latest reports suggest it will be a loan move without an option or obligation to buy.

That creates an issue for Fulham, as the Cottagers already have Shane Duffy and Dan James on loan, and the Premier League has a cap of two loanees from other Premier League clubs.

The Daily Mail report that Fulham will solve this problem by signing Duffy on a permanent deal from Brighton.

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

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, more than the £65,000-a-week previously reported.

The reason for the confusion is that Arsenal were indeed initially paying Cedric £65,000-a-week, as he was on loan and those were his wages at Southampton.

But when he signed permanently, his wages evidently increased.

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.

Given the complications of the loan, this one may drag on a little longer. Still, it now looks like it will eventually go through before Tuesday’s deadline.