Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares 'close' to Premier League move as Fabrizio Romano confirms talks

Nottingham Forest are closing in on a loan deal for Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The attacking left-back spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille, where he struggled to regain his form after a positive start to the campaign.

French outlet L'Equipe alleged in February that Arsenal agreed to loan him out because manager Mikel Arteta and his staff were 'often annoyed with his behaviour'.

Marseille elected not to sign the player on a permanent deal, with Tavares returning to north London with his future well and truly up in the air.

The 23-year-old was not part of the Gunners' pre-season tour, nor has he been called up for any Premier League games this season and the Portugal U-21 international has been tipped to move on before the transfer deadline slams shut on Friday.

Now it seems Nottingham Forest are frontrunners to sign Tavares on loan, claims transfer expert Romano.

The Italian tweeted on Tuesday afternoon: "Nottingham Forest, close to reaching an agreement for Nuno Tavares! 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."

His departure would closely follow Kieran Tierney's loan move to Real Sociedad, with the Scotsman deemed surplus to requirements in north London.