CEDRIC SOARES

Katharina Liebherr. Cedric said: “I don’t know so much about it. The people at Southampton always take good decisions. They’re growing every year and the philosophy is the right one.” Cedric insists he is in no rush to leave the south coast having signed a four-year deal last August. But he says being linked with a move to some of football’s biggest clubs proves he made the right choice in joining Saints from Sporting Lisbon in June 2015 for £4.7m. He said: “Every player likes to hear that kind of news. It means you’re working in a good way, the right way. “To be linked with them is always something positive. I’m proud, but I don’t think too hard, I don’t think about it every day. “I’m at Southampton and I’m totally focused here. “In the summer we’ll see what happens. I’m focused on the league. “Southampton have treated me very well until now and I’m very happy I came to the Premier League. “The club gave me the opportunity to play in this league, which is maybe the best league in the world and where you play against amazing players. The philosophy of the club is to let players go at a certain moment.

“It’s part of football and it’s not just Southampton. Players move clubs, they get to a higher level, a higher salary.

“Southampton have good scouts and bring players who make them grow. Football is a business, it brings money. They have to be able to see the business and make money.

Settle

“You sell a player for three, four or five times the price you paid, so you do well.”

Cedric’s European triumph has given him the taste for more medals.

He had to settle for runners-up at Wembley in February in the EFL Cup Final against Manchester United.

“Winning Euro 2016 was the biggest success so far,” he said. “Maybe it will be the biggest of my career. “It was a massive win for me, for the team and for the Portuguese people. To belong to the 23 players who were part of it is something to be very proud of.

“It will be with us always, written in history. I’m proud of that. It’s a dream come true.

“People start to recognise your value. That’s normal.

“It’s a good feeling. I hope to be better, to win trophies, to reach higher levels of football.”