After leaving Arsenal at the end of June following the expiration of his contract, Portuguese full-back Cedric Soares has attracted significant interest from several European clubs, most notably Dutch giants Ajax.

Cedric, 32, is carefully weighing his options before committing to his next move, but Ajax has emerged as a frontrunner. The Dutch club sees the experienced defender as a valuable addition to their squad.

In addition to Ajax, Ligue 1 sides Nice and Stade Rennes are reportedly considering offering Cedric a contract, while several teams in Saudi Arabia and Turkey have also expressed interest in the former Southampton player.

Cedric’s time at Arsenal spanned four years, during which he made 64 appearances for the club. However, his opportunities were limited last season, featuring in just five games across all competitions due to the preference for Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in his position. Cedric also spent the latter half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Fulham.

Despite his limited playing time, Cedric expressed his gratitude towards Arsenal and its fans in a heartfelt message upon his departure: “What a team and what a club,” he wrote. “When I say a team, I mean exactly that, quality in every player, the professionalism that you show and the amazing human beings you guys are, so thank you!”

Cedric is now seeking a club where he can secure regular playing time and contribute meaningfully. With Ajax and several other European clubs showing interest, it shouldn’t take him long.