"Fantastic" Arsenal star wants to leave the club in January

Arsenal defender Cedric Soares is keen to leave the club in the January window, according to one report.

Cedric, 31, joined Arsenal from Southampton in 2020 – initially on a six-month loan before making the move permanent that summer.

After making more than 50 appearances in his first two full seasons at the Emirates, Cedric has found first-team opportunities harder to come by this term under Mikel Arteta.

The Portugal international has managed only 27 minutes of Premier League football this season, with Ben White largely preferred at right-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also ahead of Cedric in the Arsenal pecking order and the Portuguese defender is now considering his options ahead of the January window.

Cedric keen to leave in January

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge claims Cedric is keen to join another club but will only be allowed to leave if Arsenal can sign a replacement.

Bridge told GiveMeSport: "There's a lot of interest in Cedric and my understanding is he wants to move on, but Arsenal won't allow that unless they bring someone else in.

"I think, at Arsenal, maybe we'll see one or two coming in and one or two going out in January.

"But I think it would be quality coming in and surplus going out."

Earlier this month, one report linked Cedric with a move to Fulham in January.

Cedric: I'm disappointed

Calciomercato claim the west London club had held talks with Cedric's agent over a possible mid-season transfer.

Meanwhile, the defender, who was described as a "fantastic" player by Gilberto Silva in 2021, recently expressed a desire to play more first-team football - fuelling speculation he could Arsenal in the next transfer window.

"Of course, I am disappointed," he said, when asked about his lack of game time.

"I believe, since I arrived at Arsenal, I have been giving positive answers on the pitch every time I had the chance to play.

"I have been working hard every day; this is the only way I know to get where you want to be.

"Of course, I want to play and I want to help the team to win and achieve its goals and I will grab the opportunity when I get it. I feel I am in great shape and I am always 100 per cent ready to help the team."