Cedric Soares is a serious January target for Besiktas, who are in need of a right-back as Valentin Rosier prepares to join OGC Nice.

NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Cedric of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Cedric of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that Cedric Soares is a serious target for Besiktas in the January transfer window, and transfer talks are underway.

Sources close to the deal suggest an agreement is moving closer, but the details are still to be confirmed. It’s possible Cedric might only move on loan for now, completing a permanent deal on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Cedric is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club for a summer move, now that he’s in the final six months of his contract.

Arsenal's Portuguese defender #17 Cedric and PSV Eindhoven's Belgian forward #32 Yorbe Vertessen fight for the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Cedric and PSV Eindhoven’s Yorbe Vertessen fight for the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

But Besiktas might have more motivation to complete a January move after agreeing to sell their current right-back Valentin Rosier.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Besiktas have an agreement with OGC Nice to loan them Rosier with an obligation to buy in the deal.

Romano adds in an interview with GiveMeSport that Cedric “will leave” Arsenal this month. The journalist suggests it’s still possible the right-back moves to Spain, but we should find out in the next few days.

PSV Eindhoven's Belgian midfielder #24 Ismael Saibari (R) and Arsenal's Portuguese defender #17 Cedric fight for the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
PSV Eindhoven’s Ismael Saibari (R) and Arsenal’s Cedric fight for the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

James Olley of ESPN had previously reported that Villarreal were in the mix for Cedric in January, as well as Besiktas and fellow Turkish club Trabzonspor. The Athletic also recently confirmed Villarreal’s interest.

It seems Besiktas have taken the lead at the moment, with two weeks remaining in the winter window.