Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares is set to join Marseille on a season-long loan and will undergo a medical on Friday.
The Portuguese defender was signed from Benfica last summer. Playing 28 games across all competitions, he had a bright start to life in the English capital. However, as the season progressed, the defender lost a regular spot on the team following a couple of poor defensive displays.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from the club all summer. Atlanta were considered the frontrunners to secure his services, but they wanted an option to buy included in the loan deal. The talks between both clubs collapsed as the Gunners were reluctant to meet the Italian side’s demand.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Marseille have beaten the competition from other teams to sign the left-back. A full agreement is in place between both clubs as Tavares will join OM on a season-long loan move without an option to buy at the end of this season. A medical test is scheduled to happen on Friday.
Nuno Tavares’ set to join Olympique Marseille, medical tests on Friday. Arsenal and OM have full agreement on loan deal, no buy option included. 🚨🔵 #OM
Final check to the contracts in the afternoon then it will be signed. Here we go. #AFC pic.twitter.com/DIweKrmIIg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2022
Arsenal Fever View:
The former Benfica man had a turbulent debut season in north London. He showed glimpses of quality while bombarding forward through the flanks and helping the team in attack. But, he was exposed defensively on several occasions.
Tavares looked completely out of depth while defending under pressure. The north Londoners have reinforced the left-back spot with the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko, and they already have Kieran Tierney in their ranks. Therefore, he would struggle to make Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up this season.
William Saliba also spent a season on loan at Stade Velodrome, where he had an exceptional campaign. He helped them secure Champions League football and was named in Ligue 1’s team of the season. This loan spell has proved vital to his Arsenal career, as he is back into Arteta’s plans for this term.
It is clear that the Portuguese ace has huge potential, however, he is still an unfinished product. A move to France would help him transform into a complete player. Hopefully, he can replicate Saliba’s spell at OM and force his way back into the starting line-up next year.
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