'I'm told...' - Journalist reveals 'contact' with Arsenal ace's camp; could impact Martinez deal

Journalist Luca Bendoni has revealed that ‘contact’ has been made with the camp of Nuno Tavares over a potential move away from Arsenal.

Tavares had a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium, receiving praise for his performances before Christmas in the absence of Kieran Tierney, but with mistakes creeping up in his game towards the business end of the campaign.

In the end, Mikel Arteta’s side missed out on a top-four finish to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and Tavares’ inconsistency towards the end of the term was partially to blame.

Still, it was his first season in English football, and the Portuguese talent is still relatively young at 22.

Taking to Twitter, Bendoni, who writes for Di Marzio, has revealed that ‘contact’ has been made with Tavares’ camp from both Atalanta and Real Sociedad over a potential move this summer, while Marseille are also ‘watching’ him:

“Nuno #Tavares situation, from what I’m told: – #Atalanta are interested in him, as @DiMarzio reported. They had a contact with his camp, but it’s a difficult deal.

“Also #RealSociedad had a contact.

“#OM are watching him as per @Santi_J_FM but there haven’t been talks yet.”

Tavares would greatly benefit from a loan deal to help him settle into senior football before coming back to the Gunners next season stronger and more experienced.

This would mean that they would have to bring in another left-back as cover for the injury-prone Tierney, and Ajax star Lisandro Martinez is thought to be their ‘priority target‘, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Ornstein states that AFC will ‘consider‘ a temporary exit for Tavares if they can recruit in defence, and so a loan move for him could have an impact on any deal for Martinez.

Source