Arsenal have just missed perfect chance to sell ‘erratic’ player in Jan transfer

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Arsenal have just missed out on their perfect chance to sell Nuno Tavares as Marseille have now confirmed the signing of Quentin Merlin in a £10m transfer from FC Nantes.

OM announced Merlin’s move to the Stade Velodrome on Friday to solve the Ligue 1 squad’s search for Renan Lodi’s replacement. Marseille had initially sought to agree Tavares’ transfer from Arsenal in January before turning to Nantes. It would have marked a return to the club.

Tavares spent the 2022/23 season on loan to Marseille after falling out of Mikel Arteta’s side at Emirates Stadium. He also joined Nottingham Forest on loan for the current campaign last August. But the Reds’ deal with Arsenal meant Marseille could not now land Tavares’ return.

Nottingham Forest cost Arsenal a chance to sell Nuno Tavares

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are ‘100%’ open to selling Tavares and were willing to negotiate his transfer with Marseille. But Nottingham Forest insist the 24-year-old will spend the season at the City Ground. The Gunners do not have the option to recall him this month.

Tavares has so far struggled for game time since joining the Reds after sustaining a muscular injury last September. The former Portugal U21 defender featured in his first three available Premier League games at the City Ground. But he did not feature again before last Saturday.

Nuno Espirito Santo gave Tavares his first minutes in 15 top-flight games with just his second start of the season against Brentford. It was also the wing-back’s first Premier League outing under his compatriot. Tavares has so far started two of the Reds’ three FA Cup ties this term.

Marseille move on from Nuno Tavares to sign Quentin Merlin

Now, Arsenal might have to hope that Tavares continues to be a part of Nuno’s plans so that Nottingham Forest trigger their option for a permanent transfer this summer. Marseille have paid Nantes an initial €10.5m (£9m), rising to €12m (£10m) after add-ons, for Merlin’s move.

The Reds paid the Gunners £1m to loan Tavares for the season on deadline day last summer. Nottingham Forest’s agreement with Arsenal also boasts a £12m option to buy, plus £3m in add-ons. Tavares signed with Arsenal from SL Benfica for £7m, rising to £8.5m, in July 2022.

But Arsenal would have liked to sell Tavares this month as the Lisbon native enters the final year of his contract this summer. His lack of game action at Nottingham Forest will not help the Gunners to recoup a big fee in the off-season if Tavares falls back onto the Reds’ bench.

Gary Neville even branded Tavares ‘erratic’ on Sky Sports Premier League (19:45, 16/05/22) after Arsenal lost 2-0 at Newcastle United. It remains his penultimate outing for Arteta after joining Marseille on loan for six goals in 39 total appearances and, then, Nottingham Forest.