Arsenal confirms Defender deal – Midfielder excited after summer move announced – Arsenal target wants Prem move?
Here is a roundup of the top Arsenal news and gossip that we think you guys could have missed today –
Lazio have confirmed that they have completed the loan signing of Nuno Tavares from Arsenal until the end of the season.
The Portuguese has joined the Biancocelesti on an initial loan deal with an option to buy, which will become an obligation if certain sporting conditions are activated.
The eventual cost of a permanent transfer will set Lazio back by €6m, plus a reported 20% cut of any future sale, according to Calciomercato.com.
ARSENAL posted on the club website: ‘Nuno Tavares has joined Serie A side Lazio on a season-long loan.
‘The 24-year-old defender spent last season on loan with Nottingham Forest, making 12 appearances in all competitions.
‘Joining us from Benfica in July 2021, the Portugal youth international, who predominantly operates as an attacking left-sided full-back, has made 28 appearances in all competitions for us. As well as a pre-season debut goal away to Rangers ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, Nuno contributed strongly during his first season, notably scoring in a memorable 3-1 win against Manchester United in April 2022.
‘The 2022/23 season, saw Nuno complete a valuable loan in France with Marseille, where he made 31 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring six goals in the process.
‘Nuno joined Benfica’s academy in 2015 before graduating to the first team and making his debut aged 19 in a 5-0 Portuguese Super Cup win over Sporting in August 2019.
‘This step in Nuno’s career is a great opportunity to develop further by gaining valuable experience in Serie A and Italian football. Everyone at Arsenal wishes Nuno all the best this coming season with Lazio.
The loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes’
IcFootballnews View…
Tavares is not wanted at Arsenal so this loan move is the right one to make as he will be playing at a massive side in one of the best Leagues in world football.
And if he impresses enough – he could end up getting a permanent move away from ARSENAL.
LOKONGA COMPLETES MOVE –
Albert Sambi Lokonga has admitted his excitement after joining Sevilla on loan for the season from ARSENAL
Lokonga spent last season on loan at Luton, making 19 appearances and scoring once. But the midfielder has signed with the Spanish club for the season, with an option to make the deal permanent included.
Sevilla are not in Europe this season after finishing 14th in La Liga last term, bUt lokonga is very excited about the move to the Spanish giants: “It’s not me that chose it to be fair. It’s just that people called me Sambi instead of Lokonga, so when they asked me how I’d like to be called, I said Sambi.”
“It’s been a good day, with lots to do, signing the contract, the heat… but I am very happy to be here. I’ve always wanted to play in Spain and now I have the chance, so now that is why I am here in Sevilla. I’ve always had Sevilla in my mind because of the winning mentality and looking at the Europa League, what Sevilla have done is incredible. I have always wanted to be part of a winning side and so that is why I chose to come to Sevilla,” he continued.
“It’s a great challenge for me, but I like challenges, so it’s definitely something good. We have to believe that we can do it. This club belongs at the top. I have been watching it when I was at Arsenal. I hope we can have a great season and hopefully, we can bring the club back to where it belongs.
‘I want to play as many matches as I can, but I want to play at my level, play well, and help the team. Hopefully, we can qualify for Europe, the Champions League would be incredible. That would mean having a fantastic season.”
“I don’t like to talk about myself, I prefer people to judge by what they see, but I love having the ball and organising the team. I like defending, helping my teammates… I’m there for that. I can play as a six or as an eight, but the most important thing is having freedom on the pitch, so I can feel much better and demonstrate my qualities.
‘Likewise, wherever I play, I will give my best and try to make everything work. I like to build from the back, break the opponent’s lines, that’s the way of playing that I like the most.”
MERINO WANTS PREM MOVE –
Arsenal-linked Mikel Merino has reportedly indicated he’s willing to consider a Premier League return as the Gunners are keen on a deal for the midfielder.
The Gunners have been linked with so many players over the past few months as many fans expected the Gunners to bring in a few quality players to add to the squad, but so far only David Raya has been signed by the club.
But it is widely expected that ARSENAL will look to add to that attack this transfer window – and Merino is a player that has been linked with a move to the Emirates over the past few weeks after his impressive performances in the Euros 2024 for Spain.
Per Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are all set to offer a ‘contract of a lifetime’ to the Spaniard as they emerge as favourites to land the player in the summer transfer window.
Now Reports in Spain claim Real Sociedad want around £20million for Merino and the midfielder is very much open to the idea of making a move back to the Premier League.
Club and country team-mate Martin Zubimendi, who played the second half in Berlin last night, has of course long also been rated a prime Gunners’ target.
IcFootballnews View…
Mikel Arteta has not been making the signings that many fans had been hoping for – but the next few weeks could see alot of players coming and going for the club – Merino would be a very good squad member.
ARSENAL dont need to sign players to be regular starters – they need to add depth and Merino would have to be ok with that. So if he does decide to come back to the Premier League – he needs to make sure that he understands that a starting spot will probably not happen at the Emirates.
MORE BIG ARSENAL NEWS AND GOSSIP –
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