Aston Villa may be set for a boost in their pursuit of Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares in the transfer market.
The 23-year-old looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium before the deadline on September 1, with Villa among the clubs interested in the Arsenal man. It comes as Unai Emery searches for a new left-sided full-back.
Top target Marcos Acuna has suffered an injury in action for Sevilla this week, and is awaiting tests to determine the severity of the problem. So with a potential move for the World Cup winner off the table, Villa may now turn their attentions to Tavares.
Villa have already been linked with the Portugal under-21 international as an alternative option to Acuna, and that interest may now come to fruition. And there are plans to speed up a decision over his future.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who say that Tavares’ representatives have arrived in London for talks with Arsenal, with those discussions “expected to lead” to his exit from the Gunners this month. Villa are cited as “one of the clubs” interested, suggesting Emery could face competition for his signature.
Fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest “had been in talks” to sign Tavares this summer, only for a deal to break down after an agreement could not be reached. His next move is “likely to be a club in England”, which will hand Villa an immediate advantage over any clubs in mainland Europe or further afield.
They say Tavares, who joined Arsenal from Benfica two years ago, is available either on a permanent basis or on an initial loan, with a purchase clause included. It remains to be seen which option Villa would prefer.
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