Marseille want permanent deal for Arsenal’s Tavares
Marseille are pushing to re-sign Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares on a permanent deal before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
After falling below Oleksandr Zinchenko in the Emirates pecking order, Tavares spent the 2022-23 season on loan with Les Olympiens, hitting the ground running with an unforeseen glut of early goals.
Tavares playing in his favoured left wing-back position struck three goals in his first four Ligue 1 games for Marseille, while he also played the full 90 minutes in each of their six Champions League group fixtures.
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The Portugal Under-21 international departed the Orange Velodrome with a total of six goals from 39 matches in all tournaments, although his time at Marseille was slightly blighted by alleged concerns over his attitude from then-manager Igor Tudor.
Rather than re-integrating Tavares into the Arsenal squad, Mikel Arteta sanctioned another loan departure to Nottingham Forest for the left-back, but he has only been a peripheral figure for the Tricky Trees thus far.
The former Benfica protege has played just seven times for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, although he has played a more prominent role under the new manager than Steve Cooper, starting each of their last three games in all tournaments.
Either side of FA Cup starts against Blackpool and Nottingham Forest, Tavares completed the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 Premier League loss to Brentford, his first full match in a Garibaldi jersey.
Forest do not possess an option or obligation to make Tavares’s stay permanent, meaning that the 24-year-old is due to return to Arsenal where his contract expires in 2025 – this summer.
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However, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Marseille still harbour hope of bringing Tavares back to France for good before the winter window slams shut, and Arsenal are willing to let him leave permanently.
Marseille are in the market for a new left-back after selling Renan Lodi to Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, but the French side have hit a sizeable roadblock in their efforts to reunite with Tavares.