Arsenal make surprising £5m bid for Premier League defender

Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in Southampton defender, Cedric Soares, with a late offer.

The Gunners have turned their attentions to Soares, who has just six months left on his contract at St Mary’s.

Arsenal are prepared to pay £5m plus bonuses for the multipurpose Soares.

Mikel Arteta is deep to strengthen in the full-back position and had held talks with Paris Saint-Germain this month about a move for left-back Layvin Kurzawa.

Soares is mainly a right-back, but also capable of playing as a left-back.

Southampton are already weighing up whether to sanction Soares leaving, ahead of Kyle Walker-Peters’ arrival on credit from Tottenham on Wednesday.