Despite a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavres hasn’t given up on his Gunners career, according to his agency.
In a transaction estimated to be worth £8 million, Tavares transferred from Benfica of Portugal to Arsenal in 2021.
In his first season in the Premier League, he made 28 appearances for the north London club in all competitions.
The 23-year-old was sent on loan to Marseille last season after being considered surplus to requirements because Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko were ahead of him in the lineup.
His move followed reports that he often ‘annoyed’ Arteta in training, sparking mass speculation over his long-term future at the Emirates.
Tavares enjoyed a bright start to life with Marseille, scoring three times in his opening four Ligue 1 appearances.
However, things quickly changed when he reportedly was expelled from training for disobeying orders and acting unprofessionally.
Nevertheless, he played in 39 matches for the French team in all competitions, scoring six goals and aiding them in finishing third in the league.
He will likely return to Arsenal before the 2023–24 season because Marseille decided not to sign the defender on a long-term contract.
And it appears that Tavares is prepared to fight for a position in north London.
Tavares “wants to stay” at Arsenal.
Speaking in an interview with Turkish journalist, Tibet Tore, Tavares’ agent, Cesar Boaventura, has suggested Tavares wants to stay at Arsenal amid reports that he was ‘very unlikely’ to play for the club again.
“Nuno is still under contract at Arsenal. He wants to stay in the team but we’ll see what happens in the future,” said Boaventura.
The final decision, however, may lie in the hands of Arteta, who has already added Kai Havertz to his squad this summer, with Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber set to follow in the German’s footsteps.
Should Arsenal decide to cash in on Tavares, West Ham have emerged as potential suitors, with Galatasaray also interested.
