Arsenal have officially sent Nuno Tavares out on loan to Marseille for the 2022-23 season, although the French club will not have any purchase option.
Tavares only joined Arsenal last summer, signing from Benfica in his native Portugal. He made 28 appearances following the move, scoring once. However, he came under scrutiny for his form towards the end of the season.
Still only 22 years old, though, there is plenty of time for Tavares to sharpen up his game. With that in mind, Arsenal have decided to loan him out for the upcoming campaign.
He was an option for Atalanta to target, but the Serie A side’s pursuit collapsed. Instead, Arsenal have now confirmed he will be spending the 2022-23 season with Marseille.
Reports have denied the existence of any option to buy, so Tavares will be an Arsenal player again next summer. He will be hoping to return to the Emirates Stadium as a better player.
A similar spell at the same club did fellow defender William Saliba the world of good last season, prompting his potential reintegration to the Arsenal fold, so there is an example for Tavares to follow.
The Portugal under-21 international will also find himself playing alongside a number of former Arsenal men at the Stade Velodrome. Fellow left-back Sead Kolasinac is on their books, as is midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.
Intriguingly, at the other end of the pitch, Marseille are also believed to be in talks to take former Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez from Inter Milan.
Nuno Tavares to get Champions League experience with Marseille
They are building an interesting team for new head coach Igor Tudor, who will be guiding them in the Champions League as well as their domestic competitions this term. For one season, Tavares will be part of their squad, mainly competing with Kolasinac for a place at left-back.
Given the level of European competition they will be featuring in, it could be a good move for Tavares. He will have a platform to develop on a significant stage.
Tavares will wear the number 30 shirt for Marseille, since the number 20 he wore at Arsenal was already occupied at his new club. He remains under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2025.
Arsenal noted the loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes. It has, though, been announced by both clubs.