Southampton have been dealt repetitive blows to their defensive backline in the last month or so and if reports are to be believed, they are well on their way to losing another important member of the backline which was the meanest in the initial months of the season. And the latest club to have got their eye on the Saints’ right-back Cedric Soares is a surprising one indeed. Barcelona have supposedly set their sights on the Portuguese Euro Cup winner.
Southampton have been hit hard with Jose Fonte’s transfer and with the huge buzz surrounding the interest from big clubs in their marquee defender Virgil Van Dijk, the interest from Barcelona comes as a bit of a blow, to be honest. And if the recent developments go on to form something concrete, Claude Puel might be without 3 of his 4 first-choice defenders in the summer.
Coming to the club interested in signing him, Barcelona. The Blaugrana have been extremely inconsistent this season and especially after their latest humbling at the hands of PSG, it is looking as if the Copa Del Rey is their best shot at a trophy this season and while the lack of silverware will be up for scrutiny, the manner in which the season is panning out for them. With on-field and off-field issues not being shown in the most positive light, there is a lot left to be desired at Camp Nou.
One of the reasons for struggle has been Barcelona’s right-back position. Since the departure of Dani Alves, Barcelona have struggled to create the same number of chances from the right-hand side. Alves’ combination play with Lionel Messi worked wonders for the team in an attacking sense and neither Roberto nor Vidal have been able to recreate that with Messi. The consistency with which Alves played was immaculate and it was always going to be difficult replacing the Brazilian who was signed from Sevilla.
Sergi Roberto started off the season well but regular mistakes were starting to creep into his play and eventually he lost his place to Aleix Vidal, who was brought in from the cold. But in a twist of fate, Vidal fractured his ankle after impressing a couple of matches and was ruled out for the season.
And Barcelona have now identified Soares as someone who can be a solution to their right-back woes and are ready to come in with an offer in the summer. Portugal international Cedric joined the Saints from Sporting Lisbon for a fee approaching £5 million in 2015 and is under contract with them until 2020. The remaining duration of the contract means that they might have to come up with a significant fee but they believe the versatile nature of the player and the qualities he possesses are good enough and apt for Camp Nou.
