Arsenal's Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Lazio Seal Loan Deal with Arsenal for Nuno Tavares

Lazio have officially announced the arrival of Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares on a temporary deal, as have Arsenal. The Biancocelesti add the 24-year-old defender to their roster on loan after he spent last season on a similar deal at Nottingham Forest.

https://x.com/OfficialSSLazio/status/1812864712876462178

Personal terms were agreed with the player last week, before final touches were added over the weekend by president Claudio Lotito. The deal reportedly includes an option to buy clause, which will turn into an obligation if certain conditions are met by the end of the 2024/25 season.

The club’s official press release reads: “SS Lazio announces that it has acquired on a temporary basis, with an obligation to redeem upon the occurrence of particular sporting conditions, the rights to the sporting performances of the footballer Nuno Albertino Varela Tavares from Arsenal FC.”

Tavares made 12 appearances for Nottingham Forest last season across all competitions, before which he represented Olympique de Marseille in France for one campaign.

Our Take on Tavares to Lazio

Tavares will tussle with Juventus loanee Luca Pellegrini for a place in the first team. Both are young talents who can add a lot of value to Marco Baroni’s squad, and it will be an interesting watch to see how Tavares in particular will assimilate with the squad.