Arsenal ready to sell defender for £10 million amid interest from two clubs - Reports
Arsenal are prepared to sanction the sale of defender Nuno Tavares, who has fallen out of favor at the club. The Gunners have consistently looked to strengthen their squad as they look to compete with the best teams in Europe for trophies and glory.
Portuguese left-back Tavares moved to the Emirates as a very highly rated player from Benfica in 2021, and he was immediately integrated into the first team. However, a series of high-profile errors put the Portugal U-21 international in the spotlight, and he lost his place in the Gunners' squad.
Having sent him out on loan in each of the last two seasons, Arsenal are now prepared to part ways with Tavares on a permanent basis. Mikel Arteta's side will consider offers of around £10 million sufficient to sell the 24-year-old defender, and CaughtOffside has reportedd that Ajax and Lazio have shown an interest in him.
Arsenal are pursuing a deal for left-sided Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer despite already having Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who can operate in a similar position. This indicates that the club is willing to move on from players who spent time out on loan last season, including Tavares and Kieran Tierney.
Nuno Tavares was at Nottingham Forest in 2023-24, playing only eight times in the Premier League due to a combination of injuries and poor form. The Reds turned down an opportunity to sign him permanently as he had a £12 million option to buy inserted into his loan contract last summer.
Tavares must prioritise a move away from the Emirates this summer after failing to impress enough in loan spells at Olympique Marseille and Nottingham Forest. At 24, he has time on his side to improve with regular football and could be happy to leave the Emirates.
Arsenal complete first summer transfer
Arsenal have completed their first transfer deal of the summer, signing Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent deal following his loan spell. The Gunners have opted to make the Spaniard's loan move permanent after an impressive season.
Raya joined the Gunners from Brentford last summer for a £3 million loan fee, with both clubs agreeing on a £27 million fee for a permanent transfer. The 28-year-old Spaniard kept 16 clean sheets in the Premier League to win the Golden Glove and played 41 times for Arsenal.
The Gunners will look to resolve the future of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after the Raya signing, as the Englishman lost his place in the squad last season. Ramsdale has attracted interest from multiple English sides and is expected to leave the Emirates this summer.