According to the Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias (via Metro), Arsenal are in negotiations with Benfica to complete a deal for their left-back Nuno Tavares. It’s also said that personal terms have already been accepted by the player and only a transfer fee needs to be agreed between the two clubs.
Earlier, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted an update on his Twitter profile stating that the Gunners are in ‘direct contact’ with the player’s agent.
Arsenal are in direct contact with Nuno Tavares agents. Player priority is joining #AFC as he dreams of Premier League future, personal terms won’t be an issue – it’s up to Arsenal. ⚪️🔴
Lokonga has same priority: he’s not considering Serie A bids until Arsenal are in the race. https://t.co/m8S3FwY4h9
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2021
Parallels can be drawn between Tavares and Bayern’s Alphonso Davies
The left-back has already made 41 appearances for the Primeira Liga side SL Benfica. He has also played for Portugal at the youth level. Several comparisons are being made between Tavares and Bayern Munich’s Champions League-winning defender Alphonso Davies. Tavares is indeed in a similar league with Davies, as both are technically good on the ball and possess great speed.
Arsenal might acquire Tavares on a cut-price deal. The fee that is being quoted is believed to be around €15m. This might turn out to be a clever piece of business by the Gunners and a positive sign for the Arsenal faithful, who have seen their club’s recruitment turn into a laughing stock in the past few years.
The North London outfit lacked a decent backup for Kieran Tierney last season. Arsenal largely looked insipid when one of their few functioning parts, Tierney in this case, was out injured. Mikel Arteta tried several cards like Cedric and even Granit Xhaka to cover that spot, but both were unimpressive overall.
Nuno Tavares: this is the guy Arsenal are reportedly close to signing for €8m. What do you guys think? https://t.co/Zdu9qbUDM2
— . (@APresserV2) June 28, 2021
Thus, adding a natural replacement to Kieran Tierney feels rational. Arsenal can add a player of immense quality in Tavares, who can push Tierney to his limits. The Portugal youth international will also have the ambitions of replacing the Scotsman in the future and he certainly possesses the ability to do it.
Reportedly, the 21-year-old “dreams” of playing in the Premier League which will put Arsenal in cruise control for his signature. Several clubs such as Napoli and Lazio have contacted the player’s camp, but if Arsenal chase the defender aggressively, the Italian clubs might be fighting a losing battle.
Personally, I would be more than glad if Arsenal land Tavares this summer. His ceiling for improvement is pretty high. Arsenal supporters with a good memory might also recall his impressive displays against the Gunners in the two-legged Europa League tie in February.
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Tavares’ move to Arsenal won’t hinder his development. Judging by Kieran Tierney’s past injury records, the Portuguese will get plenty of chances at Arsenal. At 21 years of age, he is also the right kind of player that the North London club should be looking at.
Tavares is certainly an exciting player and I am looking forward to him joining the gargantuan institution that is Arsenal Football Club. A future Arsenal star? A household name across Europe? A full Portugal international? You bet he can achieve everything!
