Italian press reports have revealed the latest developments regarding the future of Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares, a player for Italian club Lazio, amid growing interest from Saudi club Al-Ittihad to sign him during the upcoming winter transfer window to strengthen the team's ranks.
Details of Lazio's financial terms
According to a recent report by Sport Mediaset, Lazio have set a minimum price of €15 million for the 25-year-old's transfer to the Saudi Professional League. This high asking price reflects the Italian club's desire to secure enough funds to cover the transfer costs and ensure a healthy profit margin, especially given their existing financial obligations to his former club.
Arsenal's clause and its impact on the deal
One of the factors influencing the deal's value is the contractual clause linking Lazio to Arsenal. The agreement stipulates that the London club will receive up to 35% of any future resale fee . This clause compels Lazio's management to insist on a high price to ensure sufficient cash flow for the club after deducting Arsenal's share, thus requiring a substantial financial offer from the Italian side.
Tavares' journey: from Lisbon to Rome
Nuno Tavares enjoys a remarkable professional career despite his young age, having started with Portuguese giants Benfica, before catching the eye of Arsenal scouts who signed him in the summer of the 2021/2022 season. Despite a strong start, the player had several loan spells to hone his talent, starting with Olympique Marseille in France where he delivered impressive attacking performances, then moving to Nottingham Forest in England, before finally arriving at his current club, Lazio.
Lazio initially signed the player in the summer of 2014 on loan with an obligation to buy, making him a permanent member of the "Eagles" squad. This season, the left-back has made 10 appearances for the Italian club. While statistics show he has only provided one assist and received one yellow card in 533 minutes of play, his physical attributes and speed make him an attractive option for clubs seeking a modern full-back.
The Union and the effort to strengthen the left flank
Al-Ittihad's interest in the player stems from the club's management's desire to strengthen their left flank with a player possessing European experience and high physical capabilities, in line with the significant development of the Saudi league and its attraction of international stars. The winter transfer window is considered an ideal opportunity for Saudi clubs to address weaknesses before entering the decisive phase of domestic and continental competitions, making the Tavares deal a potential strategic option for the Tigers.
