Transfer Centre

Nuno Tavares expecting Arsenal return next season

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 25 February 2023

Nuno Tavares - currently on loan at Marseille - is expecting to return to parent club Arsenal next season.

Nuno Tavares has suggested that he expects to feature in Arsenal's first-team squad for 2023-24.

Having arrived from Benfica in July 2021, the defender was provided with 17 starts and 11 substitute outings in all competitions during his first year.

However, Tavares failed to impress manager Mikel Arteta, who subsequently allowed the left-back to join Marseille on a season-long loan.

The 23-year-old has since enjoyed one of the best campaigns of his career, making 22 starts and four substitute appearances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Tavares has also chipped in with six goals in France's top flight, the most recent strike proving to be the winner in a 3-2 victory at Toulouse last weekend.

Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring for Marseille on August 7, 2022 © Reuters

Since his temporary exit from the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have successfully replaced Tavares with Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is playing a key role in the Gunners' title bid.

While Kieran Tierney is regarded as backup to the Ukraine international, he is ahead of Tavares in the pecking order, regardless of speculation regarding his future.

Nevertheless, speaking to the media ahead of Sunday's showdown with Paris Saint-Germain, Tavares indicated that the plan remains for him to return to North London.

Tavares said: "Everyone knows that I still have two years left with Arsenal on my contract. We'll finish the season.

Nuno Tavares in action for Arsenal in July 2022 © Reuters

"I'm here until the end of the season to reach our objectives with Marseille. I can't tell you much more.

"I feel very good here, with these players, this manager. We get along really well. At the end of the season, I will return to Arsenal. I can't say much more."

When Arsenal were negotiating with teams interested in Tavares last summer, they insisted that any exit would have to be a straight loan without the option to buy.

The former Portugal Under-21 international is contracted to Arsenal until 2025, with the English giants not possessing an option to automatically extend those terms like they have been able to with other players.