There have been many hints this might happen, but it’s becoming increasingly insistent: Cedric Soares will not be staying at Inter.
Gazzetta dello Sport are the ones pushing the news, making it clear the Portuguese defender will be returning to Southampton in the summer, where Ralph Hasenhuttl will have to decide what to do with him.
Replaced by Yan Valery at St Mary’s, the Portugal international went to Inter in hope they would trigger the €11m clause in the loan deal, but to no avail.
With the prospect of getting Matteo Darmian from Manchester United, who has made it clear he wants to leave Old Trafford, the Serie A side will be pining for their compatriot.
Able to play on either side of the defence, the Italian can also help out in the centre of defence, which Soares cannot.
That and they know what they are getting with Darmian, who has played, and shined, in the league in the past.
Will Cédric be able to regain his starting spot at Southampton? It seems unlikely since his contract at St Mary’s runs out next summer, and this could be the club’s last chance to make some money off the 27-year-old, who was signed back in 2015 from Sporting CP for £6.3m.
