Arsenal defender Cedric wanted by both Galatasaray and Besiktas before January deadline

The full-back's time with the Gunners is drawing to a close and all that remains to be seen is whether he will leave for free in the summer when his contract expires or before the January transfer window shuts on February 1. Now, according to The Standard, Turkish sides Galatasaray and Besiktas are pursuing the 31-year-old.

Cedric joined Arsenal in 2020 on a permanent deal from Southampton after a loan spell in the 2019/20 season. Since then he has played 61 games for the Gunners, and in the past two campaigns he has made just six appearances in all competitions.

Cedric began his career at Sporting Lisbon, where he made 93 appearances for the Portuguese team. The defender, who has 34 caps for Portugal, joined Southampton in 2015 and went onto play 138 times for the Saints before linking up with Arsenal.

If Cedric, who is reportedly on £100,000-a-week, does go before the winter transfer window shuts, it is likely to be a permanent move, rather than a loan. The veteran full-back may have played his last game for the north London outfit.