Arsenal player who 'annoyed' Mikel Arteta could be sold as Fabrizio Romano confirms bid

Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares has attracted interest from another Premier League club - almost a year on from claims he 'annoyed' manager Mikel Arteta.

The 23-year-old left-back spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Marseille, where he played in the Champions League group stage.

The Portuguese defender scored six goals in 31 Ligue 1 appearances, but was criticised during the second half of the season due to his defensive vulnerabilities.

He was shown a straight red card in January for kicking out at an opponent during a fixture against Montpellier.

Marseille have elected not to bid to sign Tavares on a permanent deal at this stage - although the player himself claimed that Arsenal blocked a loan-to-buy clause being included in the original loan deal.

French outlet L'Equipe alleged that Arsenal boss Arteta and his coaching staff were 'often annoyed' by the player in training, leading to the decision to send him out on loan.

Now, he could remain in the Premier League but with another club, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Premier League 'interested in signing Nuno Tavares'

Romano has claimed that Nottingham Forest have submitted a 'formal proposal' to sign Tavares permanently.

He wrote: "Nottingham Forest submit formal proposal to sign Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares on permanent deal.

"Forest trying top signing as new full-back as negotiations are still ongoing also on player side. Deal on."

EXCL: Nottingham Forest submit formal proposal to sign Arsenal left back Nuno Tavares on permanent deal 🚨🌳🇵🇹

Forest trying top signing as new fullback as negotiations are still ongoing also on player side.

Deal on. pic.twitter.com/nfmoScIMIe

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2023

Steve Cooper's side are looking to replace Renan Lodi, the Atletico Madrid full-back who played at Forest on loan last term.

Compared to last season, the club have done little business in the transfer window thus far. They signed former Chelsea defender Ola Aina on a free transfer, before sealing a £15 million deal for Anthony Elanga from Manchester United.

They have dealt with Arsenal before this summer in completing a deal for goalkeeper Matt Turner, which could aid them in negotiations for Tavares as he looks to return to playing regular first team football.