The Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor says that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is ‘not keen’ to weaken his squad, amid Cedric being linked with a move away.
The Evening Standard have reported that Fulham are ‘in talks’ to sign Cedric, as the Gunners ‘consider’ a move for fellow right-back Ivan Fresneda, who plays for Real Valladolid in La Liga.
They have already ‘spoken to’ Fresneda’s representatives over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium, but Valladolid would likely want to keep him on loan for the rest of this season.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Taylor says that there is a ‘chance’ that Cedric could be moved on if Fresneda were to arrive this month, although Arteta is ‘not keen’ on weakening his squad should the new signing need to be sent back temporarily:
“If Fresneda were to arrive this month, there’s obviously a chance that Cedric could then be moved on.
“But at the moment, from what I understand, Arteta is really not keen to weaken his squad. Even though he knows Cedric is more than likely not going to play, it seems a little bit of a risk for Arsenal to move players on without replacing them.”
TIF thoughts on Cedric leaving Arsenal…
Having made just four senior appearances all season, with only one start that came in the Carabao Cup, the North Londoners should be looking to move Cedric on this window.
They have sufficient cover at right-back already in Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, and would save £75,000-per-week on wages if they were to sell the 31-year-old.
Should Cedric leave, that would free up squad space for the much younger Fresneda, who at 18 years of age, is a bright prospect.
As per FBRef, Fresneda has averaged more tackles and blocks than Cedric per 90 minutes since this season got underway, suggesting that he could be a more reliable presence in Arsenal’s defence, while he has also been hailed for his ‘beastly‘ ability to maraud forward and put in crosses from right-back by journalist and La Liga presenter Juan Arroita.
Fresneda looks to have the complete package already for a player so young, and would be a worthy long-term replacement for Cedric at the Emirates Stadium.