Arsenal secure deal for Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares

Arsenal have negotiated the signing of Benfica full-back Nuno Tavares for a fee of around €8 million, with add-ons driving up the fee higher. 

Renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has given the deal his famous ‘here we go’ signal which means that the signing is practically done. The Italian journalist further goes on to say that Arsenal tried to use Matteo Guendouzi as a makeweight in the deal. 

While the club wanted to send the French midfielder to Benfica, he wants a move to Olympique Marseille instead. And given his fringe status at the club, it is very likely that he will leave the club this summer and join the French club. 

Nuno Tavares came through the Benfica academy, and has been featuring for their first team after securing graduation through the same. He is being recruited to provide competition, and backup for Kieran Tierney, who only recently signed a long-term contract to tie him down to the Emirates. 

The Portuguese full-back ‘dreams’ of playing in the Premier League and will fulfil that desire in the next few days, signing a contract with the Gunners. The player has experience with Europe as well, competing in the Europa League for Benfica. While Arsenal won’t be featuring in any European tournament this upcoming season, he could help them get back to some fraction of their previous glory. 

Arsenal are also interested in a centre-back this summer, with a replacement for David Luiz required. Ben White of Brighton has been rumoured as a potential target and could be confirmed following the quick signing of Tavares.