Cedric Soares is being linked with a January exit from Southampton, with AS Roma touted as a potential destination.
The Portugal international has emerged as an important player for Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, but his contract at the club expires in the summer.
As such, AS Roma Live has exclusively reported that Cedric may be allowed to leave in January for a transfer fee, ensuring that Southampton do not lose the 28-year-old for free.
The Serie A outfit have been ‘proposed’ the former Inter Milan loanee, with surprising claims from Italy suggesting that he will be allowed to leave St Mary’s at the turn of the year.
Roma are on the lookout for a new right-back after Davide Zappacosta was ruled out for a number of months following an injury.
Read Southampton’s verdict
It’d be absolutely silly to sell Cedric in January. He’s been very good since his reintegration under Hasenhuttl.
Saints would be foolish to let go of the Portuguese defender based on his showings in the past couple of months. He has offered composure, tactical flexibility and reliability at full-back, and has been a consistent performer.
The validity of the aforementioned report is uncertain, but it seems rather unlikely that Southampton would be actively offering a key first-team member to European clubs, let alone some time before the window even opens.
Instead of selling Cedric, Saints should be working hard to tie him down to a new deal. He has earned it.
