Arsenal agree deal for Nuno Tavares to join Marseille on season-long loan in transfer blow to Brighton

NUNO TAVARES has completed a loan move to Marseille.

Tavares arrived in France yesterday to complete a medical ahead of the season-long loan.

The 22-year-old had previously been the subject of interest from Brighton and Atalanta.

Tavares has been seen as a squad player since joining The Gunners last summer, filling in when first-choice left-back Kieran Tierney was out injured.

And following the £32million arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City his minutes were set to be limited further this season.

He joins Sead Kolasinac, William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi as players who have swapped the red of Arsenal for the blue of Marseille.

A statement on Arsenal's said: "Nuno Tavares has joined Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille on a season-long loan deal.

"The Portuguese Under-21 international scored on his first appearance for the club, netting in our pre-season friendly against Rangers in July 2021.

"Nuno’s first competitive Arsenal goal broke the deadlock in our 3-1 Premier League home win against Manchester United back in April.

"Everyone at Arsenal wishes Nuno all the best this coming season with Marseille.

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"The loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes."

Tavares played 28 times for Arsenal last season, chipping in with a goal and two assists.

Brighton's interest in him stemmed from their need to identify a replacement in the event defender Marc Cucurella leaves the club, after he handed in a transfer request to join Man City.

Pep Guardiola's side is in action against Liverpool in the Community Shield later today.