Report: Arsenal set to take Southampton player on loan

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Arsenal are closing in on signing Cedric Soares this month, but the Daily Mail suggests that the Gunners are set to take the Southampton right-back on loan for the rest of the season.

Mikel Arteta has landed his first signing of the window today, with Pablo Mari arriving on loan. And it appears that their second addition may not be far away.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement that will see the Portuguese move to the Emirates from the south coast.

The Mail notes that the Gunners are set to pay £5 million in total for the 28-year-old.

Interestingly however, the Mail suggests that Arsenal are going to take Cedric on loan for the final months of his Southampton contract rather than sign him permanently this month.

TBR View – Potentially inspired decision from Arsenal

Of course, the likelihood seems that Arsenal will make the move permanent in the summer anyway.

But perhaps, it may actually be an inspired decision from the Gunners to take Cedric on an initial loan.

The defender has often been impressive since Southampton turned a corner earlier in the campaign. However, his form has come in for criticism on a number of occasions during his time at St Mary’s.

Arsenal now have a chance to take their time to decide whether they offer Cedric a long-term contract.

And if the move does not work out, Arteta’s men can quickly move on and look elsewhere.