Atalanta 'considering loan move for Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares'

Atalanta ‘considering loan move for Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares’ as they look to get back into the Champions League with Gunners’ £8m man set to again be understudy to Kieran Tierney

  • Tavares moved from Benfica to Arsenal in an £8million deal just last summer
  • Left-back served as back-up to Kieran Tierney, who suffered from injury issues
  • Italian club Atalanta are reportedly considering taking Tavares on loan 

Atalanta ‘could make a move for Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares’ just a year after the Portuguese left-back arrived at the Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old, who signed from Benfica for £8million last July, didn’t always perform consistently when deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney in the Gunners’ back line.

Now reports in Italy suggest Atalanta are set for talks with Arsenal over a potential deal for Tavares – most likely a loan – as they seek a replacement for Robin Gosens, who signed for Inter Milan back in January.

Arsenal's Nuno Tavares is reportedly attracting interest from Atalanta over a possible loan

Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares is reportedly attracting interest from Atalanta over a possible loan

Tavares (right), in action for Portugal's under-21 team against Greece in a recent qualifier

Tavares (right), in action for Portugal’s under-21 team against Greece in a recent qualifier

Gazzetta dello Sport said negotiations with Arsenal may not be straightforward but Atalanta believe there is a possibility of getting the deal done before next season.

Tavares made 28 appearances during his first season at the Emirates, scoring one goal and contributing two assists. He has played eight times for Portugal at under-21 level.

His main stretches of regular game time for Mikel Arteta’s side came when Scotland international Tierney, the club’s first choice left-back, was sidelined through injury.

An ankle issue saw Tavares complete six consecutive Premier League matches during between late October and early December.

Tavares filled in for Kieran Tierney at left-back during his first campaign with Arsenal

Tavares filled in for Kieran Tierney at left-back during his first campaign with Arsenal

He then returned to sitting on the bench until the concluding weeks of the campaign, when Tierney suffered a serious knee injury.

Arsenal looked well positioned to qualify for the Champions League but were overtaken by rivals Tottenham during the final few games and ended up in fifth, making only the Europa League.

Gazzetta add that both Tavares and Arsenal still need to be convinced Atalanta is a good destination to continue his development.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may wish to keep hold of Tavares to ensure depth in his squad

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may wish to keep hold of Tavares to ensure depth in his squad

After three seasons of Champions League football, Atalanta missed out on the European places altogether as they finished eighth in Serie A.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are closing in on their third summer signing after agreeing a £30million deal for Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.

source: dailymail.co.uk