Nuno Tavares has left Arsenal on loan for the third time, joining Lazio on a season-long agreement.
The 24-year-old joined the Gunners from Benfica in 2021 for about £8 million and made 28 appearances in all competitions in his debut season.
He apparently failed not win over Mikel Arteta, since he has not played for the club since, having spent a season on loan at Marseille and the previous season at Nottingham Forest.
39 games and six goals for the French club were encouraging, but the full-back made only 12 appearances in all competitions for Forest during a forgettable spell.
The Portuguese defender, whose contract with Lazio requires him to purchase based on “particular sporting conditions,” is currently traveling to Italy.
‘This phase in Nuno’s career is a terrific opportunity to grow further by acquiring significant experience in Serie A and Italian football,’ stated an Arsenal statement.
Nuno has the greatest possible wishes from the entire Arsenal team for the next Lazio season. Tavares joins Marquinhos and Sambi Lokonga as the third player to depart Arsenal on a loan agreement this summer.
Marquinhos has returned to Brazil with Fluminense until January next year, while Lokonga has joined Sevilla for the season.
21-year-old striker Mika Biereth has also left the club but on a permanent deal, joining Sturm Graz for £4m after doing enough to impress on a loan move last season.