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Saints should only consider sale of 28 y/o if Hasenhuttl has ideal replacement lined up – Opinion

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Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal has seemingly breathed new life into Southampton after what has largely been a poor season for the Saints.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were moments away from a first Premier League win since mid-September before Alexandre Lacazette poked in a late equalising goal for the Gunners, ensuring the points were shared at the Emirates Stadium.

Indeed, there was plenty to write home about Southampton’s performance in the English capital, yet to the naked eye it is clear that the Saints are still in need of recruitments in the January transfer window, and one player could be out the door in the New Year.

TEAMtalk report that Arsenal, West Ham and Wolves are all interested in Southampton right-back Cedric Soares, whose contract with Southampton expires at the end of this season.

Would Cedric's departure be a loss?

Yes

No

No

As stats from Transfermarkt show, the Portuguese international has been nothing but a bit-part player for Southampton this season, with Cedric making just seven appearances in all competitions for the Saints and being in-and-out of the Premier League matchday squad.

With Cedric last season going out on loan to Inter Milan in the winter, it makes sense as to why the 28-year-old defender is more than likely going to be shipped off in the January transfer window, yet Hasenhuttl would be wise to only sell the right-back once he has a clear replacement in mind.

With Yan Valery seemingly out of favour with the Austrian manager this season and the former RB Leipzig boss continuing to chop-and-change who plays where in his XI on a seemingly weekly basis, Hasenhuttl might already be eyeing a specific right-back to replace both the Southampton youngster and Cedric in the XI.

The Saints need defensive signings this January and, specifically, a right-sided fullback that can operate in a flexible system, yet before one is identified and signed, keeping hold of Cedric to make up the numbers would be wise from Hasenhuttl’s end.

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