Arsenal's surprise transfer windfall as PSG move for forgotten star

Stuart Telford

• 21 Jul 2023 17:17 BST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares, according to reports.

Most of the transfer focus around Arsenal this summer has been around arrivals, with the club dropping more than £200 million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

But Mikel Arteta is also keen to offload some deadwood, and has already sold Granit Xhaka to Bayern Leverkusen, while Pablo Mari has made his loan move to Monza permanent.

READ: Rice, Timber and Havertz: Is Arteta trying to rip off Guardiola?

More departures are expected, with Folarin Balogun recently made available for transfer for around £50m following his 21 goals in 37 games on loan with Reims last season.

But it is another youngster who spent time in France last season who looks set to be the next out of the Emirates exit door, with PSG interested in Tavares.

'Best option' Tavres

"PSG have a problem at left-back and one of the best options on the market for them is Nuno Tavares, the Arsenal player who spent time on loan at Marseille last season," report Relevo.

READ: Balogun one of FIVE players Arsenal club legend wants sold

Their report didn't outline how much Arsenal might receive for Tavares, but he is worth €16m according to FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, although the Gunners could hold out for more given the reputation he garnered in France last season.

Tavares hit six goals for Marseille as they finished third behind champions PSG and runners-up Lens in Ligue 1, despite lining up as a wing-back, and West Ham were also recently credited with an interest in him.

PSG have already signed Lucas Hernandez from Bayern Munich for €45m this summer, but the France international is just as comfortable operating at centre-back as left-back, while Nuno Mendes, the incumbent in the position, is injured.

Juan Bernat and Layvin Kurzawa no longer have futures in the French capital, meanwhile.