Villarreal are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal defender Cedric Soares and are set to open talks over a move in January, according to a report.
The former Southampton man has been pushed firmly down the pecking order since the start of the season and has only made two appearances for the Gunners in the current campaign.
Cedric was brought on as a late substitute in an EFL Cup win over Brentford before starting Tuesday's Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven, playing 62 minutes of that 1-1 draw.
The 32-year-old is yet to earn his first Premier League minutes of the season too, being an unused substitute in six top-flight games and failing to make Mikel Arteta's squad for a further 10 matches.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been battling for the right-back berth in recent months, while Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey will represent alternative options when fit again.
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As a result, Cedric will be expected to head for the Emirates exit door when his contract expires at the end of the season, and he is free to discuss pre-contract terms with foreign clubs in January.
According to ESPN, La Liga outfit Villarreal are showing an interest in signing Cedric and have been keeping close tabs on the Portuguese full-back since the summer window.
A move away from North London was anticipated ahead of the 2023-24 season, but Cedric allegedly wanted to stay at the club and fight for his place under Arteta, who in turn values his experience in the dressing room.
However, a parting of the ways in 2024 now appears inevitable, and Villarreal could even try to prise Cedric away from Arsenal in January, allowing the Gunners to recoup a small fee.
Arsenal are apparently happy to entertain offers for the defender in January, but it remains to be seen whether they would be willing to sanction a loan deal or insist on a permanent transfer.
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Clubs in Portugal and Turkey are also understood to be attentive to the situation, and the Turkish Super Lig is due to resume on December 19, having been paused after referee Halil Meler was punched by former Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca.
Arsenal signed Cedric on an initial loan deal from Southampton in January 2020, and the 32-year-old's stay was made permanent that same summer as he departed the Saints upon the expiration of his deal.
The right-back has scored two goals and provided five assists in 61 matches for Arsenal in that time and was a crucial player in the 2021-22 season, starting 16 Premier League matches due to injuries to Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.
With Tomiyasu and Timber both out of contention at present, Cedric will be expected to make the bench for Sunday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, where Arsenal could leapfrog Liverpool into first place for at least a couple of hours by beating the Seagulls.
