The agent of Nuno Tavares is now in London to discuss any transfer away from Arsenal for the left-back amid interest from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in his signature.
That is according to Sky Sports News (23/08, 08:51), with Pete Graves stating live on air that Tavares remains a potential target for Aston Villa. But the Arsenal outcast has seen a transfer to Nottingham Forest collapse. The Reds had held talks with the defender over recent days.
City Ground chiefs could not reach an agreement with the Emirates Stadium outfit about the terms of the 23-year-old’s move. Yet Tavares is now ‘closer to leaving Arsenal’ as his agent flew into London to discuss a route away from the capital for his client after two years there.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Nuno Tavares could agree to a transfer away from Arsenal soon
Arsenal only signed Tavares from SL Benfica in July 2021 for £7m plus add-ons and awarded him a four-year contract. But manager Mikel Arteta lost faith in the Portugal U21 defender in his debut season at the club. So, the Gunners sent him on loan to Marseille during 2022/23.
Tavares offered OM six goals through his 31 appearances in Ligue 1 and started all six of the club’s Champions League ties. He also featured regularly as a wide midfielder but also drew seven yellow cards and a red. Now, Arsenal are potentially open to saying goodbye for good.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Graves explained: “Nuno Tavares looks closer to leaving Arsenal with his agent in London to discuss an exit. Nottingham Forest have been in talks with the Portuguese left-back but a deal couldn’t be reached. Aston Villa remain interested in the defender.”
Aston Villa remain interested after Nottingham Forest backed out
Arsenal have only set their price tag for Tavares’ potential transfer at £12m this summer, per Charles Watts. The Gunners want to secure a minor profit on their investment, even though Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are ahead in the pecking order.
But Arsenal’s requests and whatever terms Tavares demanded saw Nottingham Forest back out. While Fabrizio Romano adds that Aston Villa are interested in Tavares as an alternative to Marcos Acuna of Sevilla. They have not yet discussed personal terms with Tavares, either.
Should Tavares’ agent now reach an agreement with Arsenal to sanction any transfer, Aston Villa could swoop under Unai Emery. While the Portuguese may be just one defender on his way out of the Emirates amid interest from Saudi Arabia in Gabriel Magalhaes’ services, too.