Arsenal's finances will soon be in even better shape thanks to a hefty sell-on clause which the Gunners inserted when selling one of Mikel Arteta's early signings
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English FA Cup third round football match between Portsmouth and Arsenal at Fratton Park in Portsmouth, southern England on January 11, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
Arsenal are poised to reap the rewards of a sale(Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Arsenal are set to pocket at least £2.5million thanks to Nuno Tavares' impending move to Besiktas. Tavares, 25, only left Arsenal on a permanent basis in June, joining Italian giants Lazio for £6m.
The Gunners were able to insert a sell-on clause worth between 30 and 40 per cent. Tavares spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Lazio, making 30 appearances and providing nine assists.
But this term, after Maurizio Sarri returned as manager, the left-back has fallen down the pecking order and been made available for transfer. Multiple reports claim that Bestikas have agreed a half-season loan deal which includes an obligation to buy for £8.5m in the summer.
Therefore, Arsenal will bank between £2.5m and £3.4m. Taveres was Mikel Arteta's 11th signing at Arsenal, joining from Benfica for £8m in July 2021.
His one and only season at the Emirates was challenging, with Arteta ruthlessly subbing him off just 34 minutes into their FA Cup loss against Nottingham Forest. Tavares was loaned out to Marseille and Forest over the next two campaigns before moving to Lazio.
Despite signing him permanently, Lazio immediately wanted to sell him for profit. They've already found a new left-back, with Villarreal defender Alfonso Pedraza expected to join Sarri's side this month.
Tavares struggled to earn Sarri's trust after the Italian came back to Lazio last summer, having resigned in March 2024. Sarri even described the ex-Arsenal star as 'anarchic' upon his return to Rome.
"Nuno Tavares is the only unknown of the defence I will start working with," the former Chelsea boss told Tuttomercatoweb. "He's very talented, but anarchic, so can become remarkable if we manage to get him in position."
ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 07: Nuno Tavares of Lazio looks during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on December 07, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Nuno Tavares is set to join Besiktas(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
The three-time Portugal international is set to be made more welcome at Besiktas, whose president, Serdar Adali, confirmed their pursuit over the weekend. "We are working to sign him," Adali stated.
Tavares made headlines in 2024 when he hinted at his strained relationship with Arteta. "It's always different when a club and a coach trust you, bet on you," he explained to L'Equipe. "Igor Tudor is the coach who placed the most trust in me with Jorge Jesus."
In 2022, Tavares voiced his frustration at Arsenal's refusal to insert an option to buy clause in his loan with Marseille. "At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me, that's not even the point," he told RMC Sport.
"I came to Marseille to finally be able to play in my position. When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused. With my agents, we always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn't. Now I'm at OM, and with or without an option, I'm happy. At Arsenal, I would have probably only played in the cup."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image