Southampton: Cedric Soares linked with Manchester United move

Southampton’s Portuguese right-back yesterday found himself linked with Jose Mourinho’s side regardless of whether the Saints beat the drop.

With the Saints still four points clear of safety and relegation much more realistic than survival, it’s only natural of the side’s better players to be strongly linked with moves away. Rumours regarding Ryan Bertrand have been persistent but this time around the speculation surrounds his partner-in-crime.

Whilst reporting about a host of possible United transfers, the Mirror have hinted that Mourinho is keen to link up with his fellow countryman, in a deal worth around £20 million.

This, as with the majority of the Saints’ transfers, would see the club make a large profit having signed the man from Sporting Lisbon for around the £6 million mark.

The club have an impressive profit margin when it comes to selling players in comparison to reinvestment, something which divides the crowd among the fanbase especially with relegation looming.

Next: Clubs lined up for Ryan Bertrand

Mourinho is reportedly considering the 26-year-old as a back-up to first-choice Antonio Valencia, with the full-backs arguably United’s weakest and most-inconsistent position on the pitch.

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• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
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Cedric Soares has been fairly inconsistent himself though, and is currently boasting one of WhoScored’s worst ratings for a Premier League defender.

The full-back has had a couple of good games in the last month but on the whole has struggled all season for regular form – this good be attributed to not having someone to aim for in the middle with Austin injured for large periods, but nonetheless the season has not been his best.

Therefore if the Saints could bring in £20 million for the Portuguese man it would be seen as good money from the club, but with Jeremy Pied potentially on the way out too it would mean the Saints would need as least two new right-backs this summer.

At this point however it remains nothing more than tabloid speculation however and Southampton will hope that Cedric doesn’t get distracted by possible departure rumours.

Next up for the Saints is the small task of an home game against Bournemouth – nothing short of three points will be acceptable in the club’s bid for survival.