Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares is reportedly set to return to the club this summer with Olympique Marseille leaning against signing the Portuguese fullback on a permanent deal.
According to L’Equipe via Foot Mercato, the French giants will opt out of bringing the Arsenal man for good this summer following a ‘horrific’ run of form in recent weeks for Marseille, with Tavares now set to return to north London come the end of the season.
Despite scoring six goals in 22 appearances this season, Tavares’ defensive performances have left much to be desired, with the left-back regularly panned by the French media for his woeful displays down the wing despite his impressive raw numbers.
With Arsenal having some of the best left-back options in Europe this season in Oleksandr Zinechenko, Kieran Tierney and even Takehiro Tomiyasu in some matches, it’s hard to picture Tavares returning to Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans for the 2023/24 campaign.
Signed for just £6m, though, there’s a good chance that Arsenal could make a sizeable profit on Tavares in the summer, with numerous clubs likely to take a punt on the Portuguese youngster based on his quite incredible goal record this season and his relatively young age.
Indeed, Tavares has done enough at Marseille this season to show he can perform at a top European level, just not in his natural position. And for an interested club with a smart manager, the Portuguese fullback could easily take on a new life in the game as an attacking option rather than playing as a defender.
Tavares’ return to Arsenal must lead to permanent sale
Cashing in on Tavares now might seem like a rash decision from Arsenal, but given how high the defender’s current valuation is, it is unlikely that the Gunners will find a better chance than now to offload the defender for good, where the Portuguese talent could find a new home beyond north London.
As we have seen this season, Tavares’ attacking qualities have been a massive help for Marseille, yet with the French club still not sold on what he can do at the back, the former Benfica star could easily be adapted into an attacking winger at a new club if Arsenal are smart enough to cash in on the youngster.
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