Marseille tables loan-to-buy offer for £34million-rated Arsenal defender

foot Mercato claim Marseille made a loan offer to sign Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares this summer. Arsenal are yet to respond but are ‘open’ to the idea of ​​the Portuguese going on loan.

Tavares, 22, has endured a difficult first season at Arsenal since joining the club from Benfica. He has been guilty of a number of high-profile errors both inside and outside the squad – including one against Crystal Palace in a 3-0 defeat.

Kieran Tierney is said to be fit for the new season and Tavares will be his backup – although Tierney is said to be a target for Manchester City. Atalanta are also keen on Tavares – Arsenal value him at £34m.

Now Foot Mercato report that Tavares is a target for Marseille. The two sides have made plenty of deals in recent months – with William Saliba, Matteo Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac all making the move to the Ligue 1 side.

Tavares could make a fourth move – as Marseille make a loan-buy offer. Arsenal are “open” to his loan exit this summer and would result in him joining a club set to feature in the Champions League next season.

Marseille have submitted an offer for Arsenal defender Tavares

It would be an amazing move for Tavares to be considered first choice by Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli. If he moves to Ligue 1 as a backup then there’s just no point.

Already boasting of that position at Arsenal, he provides cover for a player at Tierney who is somewhat injury-prone. So unless Marseille offer him a regular starting spot, he should stay at the Emirates.

In other news, Fulham are now favorites to sign a £17m veteran who was sacked by Prem rivals