Arsenal are set to part ways with Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny at the end of the season.
Soares and Elneny have been shadow figures in Mikel Arteta’s revamped Arsenal squad, hence their departures were long envisaged.
The pair had their contracts expiring this summer and there were no plans on the side of the club to renew terms with them, having fallen off Arteta’s pecking order.
Cedric Soares plays as a right-back for the Gunners and was certainly out of favor with Arteta inundated with multiple choices to choose from.
Elneny functioned in the middle of the park, playing as a defensive midfielder – a role that has been effectively manned by Thomas Partey, and Arteta’s clusters of midfield options.
Soares and Elneny’s wages totaled £130,000 weekly. And it is understood Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s director Edu have been intent on clearing the pairs’ wages off the books as part of their restructuring plan this summer.
Elneny joined Arsenal in 2016 from Swiss side Basel. He is one of the longest-serving players in the squad and has racked up 97 Premier League appearances before a lengthy injury layoff slashed his minutes and diminished his relevance in the squad.
Cedric Soares joined Arsenal in 2020 from Southampton on a loan deal before his move was made permanent. He made 36 Premier League appearances for the club and was loaned to Fulham as he struggled for minutes under Arteta.
The two players have been linked to a move to Turkey with Super Lig clubs ready to vy for their services.
