As the summer transfer window rolls on, Arsenal’s right-back Cedric Soares has been identified as a potential target by Villarreal, according to Sport in Spain.

After a loan stint at Fulham, Cedric returned to the north London club, but his absence from the pre-season tour has raised eyebrows.

• Villarreal, along with other Premier League clubs, show interest in Cedric Soares as a potential summer signing. Arsenal could use the opportunity to cash-in before his contract expiration in 2024.
• Despite the rumours, Cedric isn’t near a transfer, preferring to stay and fight for his spot at Arsenal.
• Cedric’s absence from the Arsenal pre-season US tour, a technical decision by Mikel Arteta, fuels speculation about his future at the club.

Villarreal’s interest in Arsenal’s right-back Cedric Soares is intensifying this summer transfer window.

The 31-year-old Portuguese defender, following a loan spell at Fulham where he made eight appearances, is back at the north London club.

However, Cerdric’s return hasn’t dampened interest from the La Liga side.

Villarreal’s intent to boost their defensive ranks has seen them include Cedric in their target list.

The Spanish club has had a long-standing admiration for the experienced fullback and is expected to make a ‘firm offer’ soon, according to reports in Spain.

The intrigue around Cedric isn’t confined to the Yellow Submarine alone. Other unnamed Premier League clubs, along with Benfica, FC Porto, and Sporting, have also made inquiries about the defender.

Despite this, James McNicholas revealed that Cedric’s preference is to remain at Arsenal and battle for his position, dreaming of playing in the Champions League.

His commitment to the club might be tested soon, with his contract expiring in 2024. This transfer window might be the last chance for Arsenal to capitalise on Cedric’s sale and avoid him departing for free a year later.

Adding fuel to the transfer speculation was Cedric’s notable absence from the Arsenal pre-season tour to the US. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, chalked it up to a ‘technical decision’, but it certainly raises questions.

While Cedric is reportedly not near a move, the scenario is expected to evolve in the coming weeks.

Cedric is not the only one missing from the tour, but he stands out. While Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey joined late and Reiss Nelson, Nicolas Pepe, and Albert Sambi Lokonga are injured, and Nuno Tavares and Matt Turner were on international duty, Cedric, who is fit and already involved in pre-season, was left out.

This decision seems more telling, given the recent acquisition of Jurrien Timber. With Ben White, Timber, and Takehiro Tomiyasu competing for one position, all of whom can also function as centre-backs, it appears increasingly challenging for Cedric to secure regular playing time.

Cedric, undeterred by his recent exclusion, intends to secure his spot in Arteta’s squad, the Evening Standard reported earlier this week.

However, the limited appearances – four for Arsenal and eight on loan with Fulham in the 2022/23 season – paired with his omission from the pre-season tour might indicate a different future trajectory.

With the transfer window in full swing and speculation surrounding Cedric intensifying, Arsenal and their fans are keenly watching how the situation unfolds.

Cedric’s move to Arsenal came at the cost of €10m loan fee followed by a further payment of €8m, despite only being valued at €8m when he signed in January 2020, showing the power of Kia Joorabchian in generating over-inflated fees for his clients.

He is now valued at around €3m and has never been worth more than €15m throughout his career.