Arsenal may decide to keep Cedric Soares until they make a new signing, despite finally having some outside interest in the right-back.

Cedric Soares has been linked with interest from La Liga side Villarreal in recent weeks, and The Athletic confirm that Villarreal are after the Arsenal full-back.

Yet the same source reports that Cedric may be required to stick around in his fringe role with the Gunners.

James McNicholas writes that Arsenal may determine that Cedric is needed as cover, at least until the club make a new signing or two.

Chris Wheatley and James Olley of ESPN had reported that Villarreal were interested in Cedric ahead of the January transfer window.

At the time, the suggestion was that the Gunners were open to letting Cedric leave in January, with the player’s contract set to expire in the summer anyway.

There was also reportedly interest from clubs in Turkey ahead of the winter window.

But with Takehiro Tomiyasu still out injured and set to go away with Japan for the AFC Asian Cup in January, and Jurrien Timber still absent as well, Cedric might be needed as a backup in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Cedric made his first start of the season for Arsenal earlier this month, playing against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

With the top two positions in the group already having been decided, there was little at stake in the final game of the group stage, and Arteta decided to rotate heavily for the clash.

The right-back’s only other appearance for the Arsenal first team this season was in the third round of the League Cup, as he came off the bench for the final few minutes of the match against Brentford.

When everyone is fit, there’s clearly not a significant need for Cedric’s presence in the squad.

Ben White, Tomiyasu, and Timber would all be competing for the starting right-back spot, Thomas Partey has also been used in the position, and young prospect Reuell Walters appears increasingly close to making the step up.

That makes it difficult for Arsenal to prioritise another right-back signing in the January window, even if the Gunners are short at the moment.

Cedric could end up staying until the conclusion of his contract in the summer.