The left-back signed for the Gunners from Benfica in the summer of 2021 and he had a disappointing debut season where he was prone to defensive errors.
Vivianne Miedema's final Arsenal goal
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As a result, he was loaned out to Marseille during the 2022/23 campaign. He was subsequently sent out on another loan to Nottingham Forest last summer.
Forest had an option to purchase him as part of the deal, but the Premier League outfit opted against it due to his minimal impact during the whole season.
Tavares will now report for pre-season training with Arsenal and when pressed on his future on Record (page 24), the left-back said that he is keen to have a place at the club.
He said: “Yes, obviously, I have in mind to return to Arsenal and have a good pre-season. Regardless of what happens in the future, I will always do my best, as I have done in all pre-seasons, to have a place at the club.”
The former Benfica man added that he has a strong mentality and it is up to the Gunners to decide on his future. He added: “I always try to do my work in the best way. Then it’s up to the club to decide whether I’m a valid option or not.”
“But I have a strong mentality. I know what I’m capable of. Sometimes things don’t depend on us, but my job is to focus on myself and do what I do best.”
Tavares unlikely to be with Arsenal next season
Tavares’ current deal with the Gunners expires in the summer of 2025, but the club have the option to extend his stay for another 12 months.
Despite the clause, Arsenal are bound to consider his sale this summer such that they can secure a decent transfer fee without selling pressure.
Lazio and Ajax are said to be interested in the 24-year-old and in our opinion, the Gunners will be hoping to recoup the £6.8 million fee spent on him.
Tavares has suggested that he could still have a future at Arsenal, but we simply don’t see that happening with the vast competition for places at left-back.
As things stand, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber are among the regular options for the defensive position.
The Gunners are about to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, who is widely expected to become the first-choice for the left-back role next term.
On top of this, there is also Kieran Tierney, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Looking at the huge competition, Tavares could be on his way out. Arsenal could leave him from their US pre-season tour to sort out a summer exit.
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