Villarreal are preparing an opening offer for Arsenal defender Cedric Soares, it has been reported, with the Spanish side having expressed an informal interest in the defender this summer.
The Spanish side are one of several clubs keen on the 31-year-old, who was Mikel Arteta’s second signing upon joining Arsenal and has played for the Gunners on 59 occasions.
However, he spent the second half of last season on loan with fellow Premier League side Fulham, and is now thought to be surplus to requirements in north London, with the arrival of Jurrien Timber pushing the Portuguese defender further down the pecking order.
Though Cedric is keen to stay and fight for his place in the final year of his contract at Arsenal, he is also thought to be open to leaving should a suitable offer be made for his services.
To that end, Spanish outlet Sport claim that the 31-year-old is ‘one of the main candidates’ to reinforce a backline that has already seen Pau Torres depart this summer.
They add that ‘informal talks with their representatives have reportedly been held recently and a firm offer is expected in the near future’, but that the Yellow Submarine also face competition from sides across Europe, including in England and his homeland Portugal.
Also in the firing line is record-signing Nicolas Pepe, while Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi-Lokonga and Auston Trusty are also expected to depart.
Beyond that, both Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney could exit north London, with the pair on the outskirts of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
