Mikel Arteta called Nuno Tavares to welcome him to Arsenal after the Premier League giants agreed a deal to sign the Benfica left-back, as reported by A Bola.
While the Gunners appear to be closing in on the eye-catching arrivals of Ben White and Sambi Lokonga, it seems their first signing of what could be a hectic two months will instead be a highly-rated Portugal U21 international.
Arsenal have fought off competition from the likes of Southampton, Brighton and Newcastle United, with Tavares agreeing a five-year contract ahead of a transfer which is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £9 million.
According to reports coming out of Iberia today, the 21-year-old full-back has already held talks with Arteta.
The Arsenal manager phoned Tavares this week, welcoming him to a club desperate to improve on last season’s dismal ninth place finish.
What sort of a role will Nuno Tavares play at Arsenal?
Tavares is understood to have bid farewell to his Benfica teammates on Wednesday before undergoing medical tests in Lisbon.
He is expected to pack his bags and board a flight to London in the near future before his official unveiling, which may take place at some point over the next few days.
It remains to be seen whether the Lisbon-born defender can make an immediate impact at Arsenal.
Tavares, who is expected to provide cover for the injury-prone Kieran Tierney at the Emirates, started just seven Primeira Liga games last season and is far from the finished article at this stage.
Then again, while Arteta has his critics, the former Manchester City assistant has shown himself to be a superb developer of young talent during his coaching career, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and co speaking in glowing terms about his influence.
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