Arsenal defender’s Premier League move held up by wage demands

Arsenal missed out on the chance to move ten points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Tuesday as they were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United. 

The Magpies, who currently sit third, frustrated the hosts at The Emirates and ensured that the points were shared.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta named an unchanged starting line up from his side’s 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, but they failed to find a breakthrough against a stubborn Newcastle side.

With the January transfer window now open, Arteta may well delve into the market to bolster his current squad, but it appears that one member of his current crop of defenders could be on his way out of the club first.

According to The Evening Standard, defender Cedric Soares could be on his way to Fulham.

The report claims that talks are underway, although the player’s wage demands are proving a stumbling block at present.

Soares, 31, has fallen almost entirely out of favour at The Emirates and would therefore be allowed to leave, but The Cottagers are reluctant to cover his £65,000-per-week wages.

Soares’ wage demands are holding up a proposed move to Fulham

The Portuguese has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League so far this term, with both Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu having been used ahead of him at right-back.

His only start of the season so far came in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton in November.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is looking to build on his side’s impressive start to the season by adding to his squad, and Soares has emerged as one of their primary targets.

Arsenal are willing to let the defender leave, but it remains to be seen whether or not an agreement can be reached.

Soares has made just 59 appearances since joining Arsenal from Southampton in 2020, and it looks likely that he may leave the club this month.