Saints right back Cedric Soares has today been linked in the Spanish media with a move to Barcelona.

I'm sure some Saints fans reading the above headline with think this is some kind of joke but I can assure them it isn't.

Spanish national sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo is claiming that Barca are looking at Cedric as a replacement for Dani Alves and that Cedric himself is delighted with the news.

That in itself is not a shock, Cedric seems to have fallen out with Ronald Koeman in the latter part of the season, barely featuring in the final quarter with Koeman preferring Cuco Martina.

This led to stories of unrest with Cedric and it seemed likely that he could leave St Mary's in the summer.

That could change when Koeman departs, the Portugese defender might feel that a new manager would be more appreciative of his talents, certainly Koeman's decision came at a time when Cedric was really starting to show Saints fans just why te club had bought him last summer.

But the lure of Barcelona if true would be big for any player, let alone one who has just found himself out in the cold at his current club, when asked about the potential interest by the Portugese media he reportably said.

“It’s always interesting for a player when such an important club and a big name show you their attention,”

“I can’t be thinking about it because I must be focused on the national team."

Although that is hardly being "delighted" as Mundo Deportivo are claiming, the truth is that if they do not act quick and get a new manager in place, Saints could lose a very good player in Cedric.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 13:28 - Jun 10 Yes - this is exactly why we need a new manager asap. Of course poor old Cedric will probably be joined by Roko at Barca before long. PS can we sack Koeman now the compensation is agreed?
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legod7 added 13:33 - Jun 10 Cedric has another 3 years left on his contract so he won't be going anywhere yet. When the new manager comes in he would probably have a lot to say about transfers in and out
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TorontoSaint added 16:19 - Jun 10 I also do not understand why he was dropped right as he started ripping it up with his excellent crosses and would love to see how he and Charlie get on next season. Hopefully a new manager and the 3 years he has left will allow him to shine next year as with Bertrand we have two fierce crossing full backs.
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ChristchurchSaint added 16:37 - Jun 10 I would be surprised if this happens before a new manager is in place ( if at all- more paper gossip?). With a new manager, everybody starts with a clean sheet to impress.
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saintsnutcase added 17:02 - Jun 10 He was dropped because Koeman decided that his defensive errors did not compensate for his crossing ability. I agree with Koeman on this but Martina is worse.
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green added 19:25 - Jun 10 I think Martina was more of a defensive liability. I hope we keep hold of CS he is potentially a very good player.
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corkcitysaint added 19:50 - Jun 10 Martina is woeful at crosses, not too bad defending. Cedric is great at crosses, not too good at defending.. he gets caught out of position quiet a lot. Go to Barcelona and play champions league or stay at Saints to fight for a place? Hum, I wonder ?
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bstokesaint added 22:03 - Jun 10 I've always willed Soares to do well, but defensively I think he's not strong enough. I remember Lukaku bullying him when we played Everton at home. And that wasn't an isolated incidence. We're weak at right full back full stop to be honest. He's certainly not the kind of player I could see in the Barca first XI.
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aceofthebase added 08:26 - Jun 11 He can't defend.He is outpaced and cannot stop the crosses coming over. That's his number 1 job so sell him and move on. Another RK poor signing but at least he recognised his shortcomings and dropped him. He cost us about 6 points now would that have made any difference?
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SaintBrock added 13:49 - Jun 11 Not good enough for Saints but good enough for Barcelona, some agent is working overtime for his bonus. Who's next Ward-Prowse to Real Madrid?
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