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Reports indicate that the loan transfer of Cedric Soares to Fulham is being held up because of Shane Duffy’s transfer from Brighton.
THE LOWDOWN: DOMINO EFFECT
The Cottagers signed Duffy on loan from the Seagulls at the beginning of the season and have decided to make the move permanent thanks to his strong performances for the team. Fulham currently sit in seventh place on the log, level on points with Brighton but with two games more.
Duffy has been brilliant for them each time he’s called upon and the club’s board want to make the centre-back’s signing permanent. However, they are facing a roadblock from the Seagulls which is also complicating another move which they have been pursuing since December.
The move is for former Southampton man Cedric Soares, who has been relegated to a role that is considered less than a background one at Arsenal. The Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta claims he is still a useful player for the side but fails to give him opportunities even in cup games.
His last game for Arsenal came in November 2022, which was only his fifth game in all competitions for the club in the ongoing 2022/23 season. He has suffered very slight fitness problems but nothing serious enough to prevent him from playing more games than he currently has.
THE LATEST: DEAL HITS A SNAG
The Euro 2016 winner has decided to count his losses and find game time away from Arsenal, despite them being in the pole position to win the Premier League title this season. He is nursing the ambition to convince new Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who stated during his unveiling that he will reach out to every active player who has played for the national team in the past.
Fulham are set to give him the chance he is looking for thanks to Marco Silva, Fulham’s manager. The Portuguese manager worked with Soares in his younger days in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and is still a big fan of his qualities.
That move, however, is now being threatened by Duffy and Brighton.
As per the Daily Mail, Fulham cannot complete any deals for Soares unless they come to an agreement with Brighton for Duffy and with the January transfer window transfer deadline day already here, it is looking bleak. This is because of the Premier League rule which places a two-player cap on loaning players from other Premier League sides.
THE VERDICT: NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR CEDRIC
Fulham also have Dan James on loan from Manchester United and to loan in Soares, one of James or Duffy will have to become a permanent signing.
Duffy is the choice thanks to his performances. However, Brighton are not making it easy. Soares is now facing the prospect of remaining a very distant afterthought at Arsenal for the rest of the season.
More as the story develops.
