Atletico Madrid Eyeing Short-Term Loan Move for Cedric Soares

According to reports, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Cedric Soares on a loan deal until the end of the season. The Spanish Club are short at the right-back position after selling Kieran Trippier to Newcastle.

The 30-year-old joined as a loanee from Southampton in January 2020, but the Gunners made the move permanent in the summer on a free transfer. He was brought in as a backup for Hector Bellerin, but the Spaniard joined Real Betis on a season-long loan last summer.

This season’s star signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has become the number one right-back choice for Arteta since moving to North London on the deadline day of the summer transfer window. Tomiyasu’s arrival has not only provided the Gunners with renewed depth at the position but has also consolidated the backline to great extent.

The Japanese’s arrival has pushed Cedric down the pecking order. Cedric has managed to feature in only 4 Premier League games this season. However, Arsenal will not loan him out for the remainder of the season without signing a backup option.

With Ainsley Maitland-Niles moving to AS Roma on loan till the end of the season, the Portuguese full-back remains the only backup option for Gunners in the position. Although Callum Chambers also remains an option, his lack of match fitness keeps him out of the equation.

Atletico Madrid are eyeing up a loan move for Cedric Soares to replace Kieran Trippier, according to the Daily Mail. Trippier’s transfer has left a vacuum for Diego Simeone to fill after the English right-back spent two-and-a-half years at Wanda Metropolitano as his first-choice.

🚨 Atlético Madrid are interested in a loan deal for Arsenal right-back Cédric Soares with a view to a permanent deal. The Spanish club are searching for a Kieran Trippier replacement.

(Source: Daily Mail) pic.twitter.com/6S2sgy2QgF

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 9, 2022

The current scenario for the Rojiblancos is a short-term loan till the end of the season and should the loan be successful, they will consider going in for a permanent transfer in the summer. But, this doesn’t work for the Gunners so well.

The North London club are likely to reject their move. However, if Atletico Madrid makes a permanent move for Cedric Soares, the Gunners might let him off as it gives them the option of bringing in a replacement.

Then again, it was earlier reported by ESPN that Arsenal’s backroom staff were highly impressed with the full-back work ethic and dedication in training. Also, he is willing to fight for a place at the club that he always dreamt of joining. Cedric told ESPN in November:

“I’m there fighting,”

“Every week, every day, I will be there knocking [on the door], making him a problem – in a good way – that he needs to think who to put on the pitch.”

“Of course, it is [Arteta’s] decision. I respect that and he knows that.”

“But I will not make it easier.”

It is unknown at the moment if Arsenal will sanction a move for Cedric Soares if Atletico Madrid submits an official bid. It also depends on the player whether he wants to move or not.

We will certainly get to see what transpires. What are your thoughts on the move? Do let us your opinions in the comments section below.

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