Arsenal defender wanted by Premier League side on permanent deal

For Arsenal, the big news being headlined is that Jurrien Timber has suffered a torn ACL and will have surgery soon. As The Top Flight has covered, that may push Arsenal to sign another defender as cover. Questions are being raised on whether or not that will affect the outgoing of left-back Kieran Tierney, but there is one defender who is likely to leave no matter what. Nuno Tavares is seen as a surplus at Arsenal, and the club is looking to shift him this summer.

Nottingham Forest could be the team to take the defender on a permanent deal. Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal has received a formal proposal from Forest to sign Nuno Tavares. Nottingham is looking to sign a new fullback after not signing loanee Renan Lodi on a permanent transfer from Atletico Madrid. Ola Aina, typically deployed as a right-back, had to play as a left wing-back for Steve Cooper’s side, given Omar Richards remains out injured. Left-back Hary Toffolo‘s status is unknown for the time being as he deals with betting charges against him.

When assessing left-back options at Arsenal, Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely soon to return from injury, while Kiwior and Tomiyasu can both play the position. Even with Tierney leaving, Tavares is clearly not in the books for Mikel Arteta anymore. Tavares joined Arsenal in 2021 from Benfica and was regularly used left-back during the 2021-22 season. Last season, Tavares went out on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1, where he impressively netted six goals for the French giants.

Given Arsenal only paid around £8m for Nuno Tavares from Benfica, it’s hard to think the Gunners will get anything more than that in return. For Tavares, Nottingham Forest will provide the Portuguese defender will a great opportunity to get regular starts at the Premier League level.