Portuguese youngster Nuno Tavares is reportedly closing in on a loan move to Atalanta, according to Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio.
The 22-year-old had a tumultuous debut season in North London, and with the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko, the short-term future of Tavares seems destined to be away from N5.
According to DiMarzio, it’s Serie A outfit Atalanta that lead the race for the Portuguese dynamo:
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“Nuno Tavares is close to Atalanta on loan without [a] buy-option from Arsenal . Still work in progress."
"Details to be sorted out.”
There is talent clearing simmering beneath the surface for Tavares.
He is a raw potential that is yet to emerge, and that’s evidenced by the team’s seeking to acquire his services.
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Whilst a move to Atalanta is close to completion, the Italian side aren’t the only ones seeking Tavares services, with Fabrizio Romano tweeting:
“Nuno Tavares deal. Negotiations with OM are off since last week, news of deal progressing were ‘wide of mark’."
"Atalanta are still interested in signing him on loan, talks on."
"Brighton asked for conditions but Atalanta are leading the race and pushing this week.”
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To have three high flying teams, Brighton, Marseille and Atalanta interested in your services, there has to be an underlying talent that the recruitment teams at the respective clubs have seen.
On Arsenal’s behalf, they also have a fixed image of the type of environment they want Tavares to grow in, at a club where he will be deployed as a wing-back in a back three system, maximising his strengths and minimising his deficiencies.
How quickly a move accelerates from here remains to be seen, with the squad for tonight’s game against Chelsea the next indication of how far along a potential move is.
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Arsenal are still hoping to move a number of players away from the club before the window closes.
Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland Niles, Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari and Hector Bellerin have been linked with moves away.
Nuno Tavares is one of a number of players who will likely leave on loan.
With two weeks until the start of the new Premier League season, Arsenal still have plenty of work to do.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Transfers, Atalanta