Arsenal have let a lot of players go since Mikel Arteta replaced Unai Emery.
High profile names such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil have seen their contracts terminated under the Spaniard, while popular Hale End graduates in Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun have departed too.
In the summer transfer window just gone, the Gunners waved goodbye to some players who, in fairness, were given many chances to impress by Mikel Arteta, such as Aaron Ramsdale and Nuno Tavares – with the latter now shining away from the Emirates Stadium.
Nuno Tavares breaking records at Lazio
Back in July, Arsenal agreed to let the Portugal international leave for Lazio on a loan deal.
However, it was not just a standard ‘dry loan’ – as they are called nowadays – but instead a loan deal with an obligation for the Serie A side to buy Tavares on a permanent basis for £7m at the end of the season.
It means Arsenal made a small profit on the £6.8m signing from Benfica back in July 2021 – although Lazio now stand to make much, much more than a £200,000 profit when they eventually sell Tavares, who Matteo Guendouzi admires.
The Lazio No.30 is starring in Rome, remarkably providing eight assists in just ten Serie A appearances so far this season.
Nuno Tavares of Lazio looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between S.S. Lazio and FC Porto at Stadio Olimpico on ...
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Four of those assists came in his first four Serie A games this term, which made Tavares the first player on record to register four assists in his first four appearances in the competition – according to Opta.
As things stand, the man born in Lisbon is the highest rated player in Serie A – by FotMob’s metrics – having won four Man of the Match awards, earning him an average rating of 7.82 this season.
Arsenal stand to benefit from Nuno Tavares success
Some may accuse Arsenal of being foolish for allowing this £7m obligation to buy, but the Gunners have smartly negotiated a clause which means they will benefit substantially from any future sale.
Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport state that Arsenal have a 40% sell-on clause in the agreement.
Seeing as Claudio Lotito, President of Lazio, has already admitted he deems Tavares to be worth over £57m, Arsenal could well make millions from any future sale if the left-back maintains his excellent form.
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