Nuno Tavares ‘keen’ on Arsenal departure as timeframe for club decision revealed by trusted source

Nuno Tavares is reportedly hoping to leave Arsenal on loan this summer and one reliable journalist has revealed when the Gunners will make a final decision about the defender’s future.

Tavares has been linked with a move away from Arsenal in recent weeks due to the club’s pursuit of Alex Grimaldo. Gunners technical director Edu wants to bring Grimaldo in as competition for Kieran Tierney and has made a £6.4million bid.

Arsenal have not yet found out whether this will be enough to sign him from Benfica.

Even if Grimaldo doesn’t arrive at the Emirates, Tavares appears set to leave. Marseille have been in talks with Arsenal over taking the left-back on loan for the upcoming season.

But there are two issues preventing that move from coming to fruition. Firstly, Arsenal are unwilling to include an option to buy as part of the loan.

They see Tavares as a good player for the future and want him to return to north London after gaining experience in France for a year.

Another problem is Tavares’ thoughts on the move. As per French newspaper L’Equipe, the Portuguese has concerns about joining Marseille.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has now given the latest information on Tavares’ future. He claims a new suitor has come in, this time from Italy.

Nuno Tavares wanted by new club

The club in question is Atalanta, who came eighth in Serie A last term. Talks between Arsenal and Atalanta over a loan switch for Tavares are ‘ongoing’.

The key issue is once again whether an option to buy will form part of the deal. Arsenal will ask for this not to be included, though this could result in Atalanta pursuing other left-backs.

Romano states Tavares is ‘keen’ on the transfer. He probably thinks he has a better chance of getting into the Atalanta team in comparison with Arteta’s starting eleven.

The reporter adds that Arsenal will come to a final decision on Tavares’ future next week. This is so Arteta knows whether he will be able to rely on the 22-year-old for the upcoming campaign or not.

Joining Atalanta for a season would probably do Tavares good. The full-back is unlikely to get much game time with Arsenal, unless Tierney and new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko both get injuries.

Moving to Atalanta would give Tavares the chance to hone his skills away from north London and potentially return as a better player. He clearly has lots of talent, he just needs confidence and more senior experience before he can show this in an Arsenal shirt.

Atalanta are a good team to join, too. They have shown they are able to mix it with Italy’s biggest clubs in recent years. While last year was a disappointment, the season before they came third in Serie A.

Meanwhile, Arsenal attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard has responded to questions about him becoming club captain in the future.