Cedric Soares could still join Nicolas Pepe in leaving Arsenal this month, despite the closure of the British transfer window.

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)
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)

Cedric Soares was one of a number of players expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the summer transfer window, but a move never ended up materialising before the British deadline on September 1st.

Yet that might not be the end of the story. Though the window has closed for Premier League clubs to register new players, they can still sell players to other clubs with later deadlines.

Football.London reported last week that Cedric has interest from FC Porto, Benfica, and Sporting CP in Portugal, where the transfer window doesn’t close until September 22nd.

The same source reported that Nicolas Pepe was also drawing interest, and Pepe is now close to a move to Besiktas.

Fulham's Portuguese defender Cedric Soares controls the ball during the English FA Cup fifth-round football match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage in Fulham, west London on February 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Fulham’s Portuguese defender Cedric Soares controls the ball during the English FA Cup fifth-round football match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage in Fulham, west London on February 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Cedric spent last season on loan with Fulham, and he doesn’t appear to be in contention for starts at the moment at Arsenal.

Ben White is Arsenal’s first-choice right-back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu as a backup. Thomas Partey has also been playing there lately, and Jurrien Timber was signed over the summer.

So there have to be quite a few concurrent injuries or suspensions before Cedric gets to the front of the queue. Even with Timber and Partey currently out, the right-back is still third choice at best.

Then there’s Reuell Walters, who has been impressing with the u21s and regularly receives call-ups to the Arsenal first-team training sessions.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Reuell Walters of Arsenal in action during the FA Youth Cup Fifth round match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on February 06, 2023 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND: Reuell Walters of Arsenal in action during the FA Youth Cup Fifth round match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on February 06, 2023 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

If Cedric wants to play regularly this season, his best bet is probably a return to Portugal.

For the time being, there are no updates regarding any of the interested clubs progressing to advanced negotiations, but it may just be a matter of time.