Arsenal finally secure first transfer of summer window

Arsenal have finally broken the transfer seal this summer by confirming their first addition of the window in the form of Nuno Tavares from Benfica on a deal thought to be around £7m.

Fans have been waiting (im)patiently for the club to make their first move in the window, either as a permanent sale or purchase, with a number of deals crawling their way over the finish line in the month since the window has been opened.

Ben White has been heavily linked with various accounts of the deal being ‘all but done’ yet to come to fruition due to England’s run to the final of the European Championships, while Albert Sambi Lokonga has been in the ‘final stages’ for so long his contract has probably already expired.

There is still a lot of work to be done in and out of Arsenal but at last the first one is over the line. While not someone who is going to have a considerable impact on the first team next season, Nuno Tavares nonetheless arrives as an important addition in a problem position.

Arsenal finally secure first transfer of summer window with Nuno Tavares joining from Benfica on long-term deal as new backup left-back

As confirmed on the official Arsenal website, Edu said:

"“Nuno is a talented young player who was wanted by a number of clubs across Europe. He will provide strong back-up in the left-back position,”, the technical director said.“We look forward to him growing and developing with us and becoming an important member of the first-team squad.”"

Those sentiments were echoed by the manager.

"“We welcome Nuno to the club. He is a young player with great promise who has developed very well with Benfica in recent seasons and has also shown his quality by being part of Portugal Under-21s,” Mikel Arteta said.“Nuno’s arrival will give the squad extra strength and options in defence, particularly with this energy on the left side of the pitch. We look forward to Nuno’s arrival soon, his integration into the Arsenal family and playing in front of our fantastic supporters.”"

Young, inexpensive, long contract, athletic, attacking and with plenty of room for development, it’s a strong signing on paper.

Best of all, the 21-year-old can join up with his new teammates in the coming days after he has travelled from Portugal and completed the current isolation regulations. He will be with the squad for their Scotland training camp next week.

Is there any issue? Well, sadly, Tavares will wear the No. 20 shirt. He’s cursed already.