Nuno Tavares Arsenal exclusive
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Mon 5 May 2025 7:52, UK
Nuno Tavares is expected to seal a permanent move away from Arsenal after three years out on loan, sources have told Football Insider.
Arsenal haven’t included Tavares in a matchday squad since the 2021–22 season and has since spent time on loan at Marseille, Nottingham Forest and Lazio, with 28 appearances for the latter this term.
Back at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s side risk being dragged into the six-team race for Champions League football, after Saturday’s home loss to Bournemouth made it just one league win in their last five.
As a result, big changes are expected this summer to put Arsenal back in title contention, and sources have told Football Insider that Tavares is one of up to 10 players who could be bound for the exit door.
Football Insider revealed last month that Tavares and fellow loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga (at Sevilla) are both set to complete permanent moves away from North London, with further departures expected.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta faces a crucial summr ahead of him at Arsenal (Credit: Imago)
Lazio make Nuno Tavares transfer decision
Arsenal have long since been keen to get Tavares off their books permanently amid his series of loan spells away, and his temporary switch to Nottingham Forest in 2023 included a £12million option to buy.
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The 25-year-old’s move to Lazio last summer included an obligation to buy dependent on conditions being met, and sources have told Football Insider that Lazio are keen to make a permanent deal happen.
Tavares’ form at left-back in Rome has seen him break into the Portuguese national squad and win a first cap in November, and the forgotten Arsenal man could be just as prepared to make Lazio his long-term home.
Nuno Tavares Arsenal
Tavares’ last Arsenal appearances came in May 2022
Arsenal ready for seismic summer transfer window
The Gunners have gone from close-run title contenders in the last two seasons to 15 points behind runaway Premier League champions Liverpool, and money must be spent in order to close the gap.
It’s not just out-of-favour loanees who are on their way out of the Emirates this summer, as Football Insider revealed on Sunday (4 May) that Jorginho and Thomas Partey both look set to leave Arsenal.
The midfielders’ departures will facilitate moves for the likes of Martin Zubimendi, while former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson also told Football Insider that Arsenal have to push the button on a move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins sooner rather than later.
Whoever does come through the doors at the Emirates this summer, it’s increasingly clear that Tavares and a host of other forgotten men are likely to head the other way.
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