Arsenal defender Cedric Soares is set to continue playing for the team until the end of the season despite a failed attempt to leave in January. This decision comes as the 32-year-old right-back aims to contribute to Mikel Arteta’s side as they strive to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for the title. Cedric, who has been capped 34 times by Portugal, expressed a desire to depart from the Emirates in January due to limited playing time, having made only two appearances and clocking just 65 senior minutes so far this season. However, with no successful transfer, he now plans to seek opportunities elsewhere when his £65,000-a-week contract expires at the end of the season.
Although Turkish club Galatasaray engaged in discussions to acquire Cedric for a small fee, they ultimately opted to sign former Nottingham Forest right-back Serge Aurier on a short-term deal instead. Despite reported interest from clubs such as Besiktas, Trabzonspor, and Villarreal, no further offers materialized for Cedric. Additionally, there is a possibility that Benfica, who previously showed interest in signing him last summer, may revisit the opportunity upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June.
While the Turkish transfer window remains open until Friday, it is unlikely that a move for Cedric will transpire within this timeframe. It is anticipated that Cedric’s role in the remaining months at Arsenal may not be substantial. Nevertheless, given injury concerns surrounding other players on the team, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jurrien Timber, Cedric can serve as a valuable emergency cover for the Gunners, who are currently positioned third in the Premier League table.
