Arsenal suffer transfer blow which could ruin January plans

Suraj Radia

• 27 Jan 2024 11:42 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their January transfer plans, missing out on a financial windfall for one of their fringe players, having hoped to sell him in order to help them manoeuvre in the market.

The Gunners, like most teams, have struggled with financial fair play restrictions this month, which has limited their spending potential, having splashed out more than €200 million on players during the summer.

It has meant that Mikel Arteta is resigned to no major incomings this month unless there is a substantial sale to raise funds – something which Arsenal were hoping they were close to.

However, Marseille’s signing of Nantes left-back Quentin Merlin has all but ended their pursuit of Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares, with the 24-year-old now set to see out the season at Nottingham Forest.

Marseille had been eyeing Tavares after he had a successful loan with the Ligue 1 side last season but any permanent deal this month was complicated by the Portuguese defender’s loan situation.

Tavares joined Forest on loan on deadline day during the summer and the Premier League strugglers have a €15m option to buy, meaning Arsenal were unable to terminate the deal and sell him to Marseille.

Tavares disappointed at loan despite returning to Forest team

Tavares is said to be unhappy at Forest despite the arrival of Portuguese compatriot Nuno as the club’s manager, which has seen his game time increase, having been on the fringes for most the season.

The left-back played three times in his first month at Forest but failed to feature at all in the following three months, only making his fourth appearance in the FA Cup game against Blackpool earlier this month.

Tavares has played a further three games since his return into the fold, including 90 minutes in Forest’s last Premier League game, but his long-term future remains in doubt after seeing the door close on a move to Marseille.

Arsenal will likely look to cash in on Tavares when he returns from Forest in the summer, with his contract set to expire in 2025 and Arteta seemingly not seeing the defender as part of his plans going forward.