Serie A side Atalanta are leading the race to sign Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares.
According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Serie A side Atalanta are leading the race to sign Nuno Tavares from Arsenal. The left-back is attracting interest from multiple clubs, with a loan deal being pitched majorly.
Tavares joined Arsenal just last summer from Benfica and made 28 appearances across competitions due to the long-term injury of first-choice left-back Kieran Tierney. However, after a disappointing debut campaign, he has now been deemed surplus to requirements with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s arrival from Manchester City.
Tierney is back to fitness as well and is believed to be Mikel Arteta’s first choice for the position, while Zinchenko, who could feature majorly in the midfield, is fully capable of taking up the role in the Scotland international’s absence.
This will leave Tavares struggling for game time and a loan move is being touted. The likes of Olympique Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion have shown interest but it seems Atalanta have now taken the lead in the race.
Nuno Tavares deal. Negotiations with OM are off since last week, news of deal progressing were ‘wide of mark’. Atalanta are still interested in signing him on loan, talks on. ??? #AFC
Brighton asked for conditions but Atalanta are leading the race and pushing this week. pic.twitter.com/RL8BHXVJfC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 22, 2022
Earlier reports claimed the 22-year-old Portuguese is not interested in joining Marseille. Arsenal’s discussions with the French club have been on hold since last week as well. Brighton, who hope that Tavares could take Marc Cucurella’s spot, who is off to Manchester City, are still in negotiations with Arsenal.
Atalanta, on the other hand, are interested to sign the left-back on a loan deal and are pushing for the deal to be completed quickly. The Serie A side currently have just 20-year-old Matteo Ruggeri as their recognized left-back, who just returned from a loan spell with Salernitana. Joakim Maehle is an option for manager Gian Piero Gasperini, but he is being linked with an exit.
Hence, Atalanta are eager to find a more solid solution for the position and see Tavares as a feasible option. The Portugal under-21 international has age on his side and can still develop into a good player, which is why a loan deal is Arsenal’s priority. Therefore, should Atalanta agree on a deal with the Gunners, a temporary move should benefit all involved parties.
