Romano reveals Arsenal transfer that could be 'COMPLETED in 24 HOURS'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 29 Aug 2023 17:40 BST
- 3 min read
Wantaway Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares could complete his Nottingham Forest switch in the next 24 hours, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Portuguese reportedly fell out of favour with Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta last year and has been left on the outside looking for most of the time since then. Shipped out on loan to Marseille last term, Tavares actually impressed in Ligue 1, but it wasn't enough to see him reclaim a place at Arsenal.
The expectation has always been that he would depart the Emirates this summer, and it seems that this could finally transpire after lengthy negotiations. In fact, talks were so complicated at one stage that a proposed move to Nottingham Forest was reportedly off the table, with Romano announcing that Tavares was considering different options.
READ: Arsenal make U-TURN on Smith Rowe to Chelsea transfer
Following that news, Aston Villa reportedly tried to swoop in, but it seems that Forest will get their man after all.
Deal imminent
The East Midlands side went back to the negotiating table with the Gunners and it appears that a breakthrough in the negotiation is imminent, Romano told his 18.4 million Twitter followers.
"Nottingham Forest, close to reaching an agreement for Nuno Tavares," he wrote. "Loan deal discussed with Arsenal after new round of talks. It could be completed in 24h and it will include an option to buy clause. Told Nuno already said yes after interest revealed two weeks ago."
READ: Arsenal REJECT €25m star despite Timber injury
A loan deal is perhaps not what Arsenal had originally in mind for Tavares, with the Gunners keen to raise some funds from sales to potentially sign a Jurrien Timber injury replacement, but it appears to be the only way to get the left-back off the books, albeit only temporarily, at this stage in the window.
Fellow left-back Kieran Tierney has already departed the Emirates for the warmer climes of the Basque Country, signing for Real Sociedad on loan.
