Arsenal Transfers: Marseille reportedly interested in Tavares loan deal

French club Marseille have reportedly been in contact with Arsenal over a proposed loan deal for left-back Nuno Tavares.

Nuno Tavares had a rather up and down first season in north London. Signed from Benfica last summer for £7.2m, the attacking full-back endured some good moments and some rather forgettable ones.

When his transfer was announced, one of the overriding comments on Tavares was that he was very raw. We saw that multiple times last year. His ability to get forward is superb as he often got into good areas in the final third and delivered some neat balls into the box.

However, it was his defensive abilities that caused so much anger and frustration among the Arsenal fanbase. Often caught too square and out of position, he misplaced passes on the edge of his own area, some of which led directly to goals.

Such was his ability to put in a poor performance; Mikel Arteta yanked him off the ground against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup after just 34 minutes. But the 22-year-old found himself back in the starting line-up after Kieran Tierney’s knee injury towards the end of the season and again showed his good and bad side.

Marseille interested in Tavares

With Arsenal reportedly interested in Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey, Tavares could be sent out on loan, and Marseille are said to have an interest in taking the left-back on loan, according to The Sun.

A loan move would certainly help Tavares, and the Gunners do have a good relationship with Marseille after sending both Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba on loan to the French club, with both seeing ample game time. Something that Tavares needs.

The reported loan deal would be predicated on Arsenal securing another left-back, whether that be Hickey or Oleksandr Zinchenko. If neither move materialises, then there is a real possibility of Tavares remaining in north London to continue as Tierney’s back-up.

Tavares played 22 times in the league last season, and he will be all the better for the experience. But as we know, the English Premier League takes no prisoners, and it is not the best idea to learn your craft in the toughest league in the world.

A move to Ligue 1 could prove to be just what the doctor ordered for the 22-year-old, with Marseille thought to be keen on a loan deal.