Arsenal are considering a late offer for Southampton right-back Cedric Soares, according to the Daily Mail. The newspaper reports that the Gunners are “ready to firm up” their interest with a £5m bid for the Portuguese international before the transfer deadline on Friday.

The Saints are poised to sign fullback Kyle Walker-Peters on loan from Tottenham and that would free up Soares to make the move to the Emirates.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been keen on improving his options at fullback, after the likes of Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney were sidelined with injuries.

It was thought that a left-back would be brought in this month with PSG’s Layvin Kurzawa the likeliest candidate. However, Soares is ostensibly a right-back and he would be competing with Hector Bellerin for a starting place.

The Southampton defender has made 19 appearances for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this season, but with his contract expiring in the summer, the South Coast club are likely open to selling the player this month.