Marseille are reportedly keen to take on another Arsenal loanee this season following the success William Saliba enjoyed at the Stade Velodrome. However, this time around, the French giants seem to have learned from their mistakes and are eager to include an option-to-buy.
According to Footmercato, Jorge Sampaoli's side have submitted a loan offer to the Gunners for Nuno Tavares, who faces an increasingly uncertain futures at the Emirates Stadium. The 22-year-old defender started just 13 Premier League games this season for Mikel Arteta's side and struggled to assert himself in the first-team despite Kieran Tierney's injury misfortunes.
The report adds that Marseille have included an option-to-buy in their proposal for the left-back, though the fee is currently unknown. Tavares, who sees his contract with the north London outfit expire in 2025, has been heavily linked with a move to Atalanta lately and, in negotiations, Edu has demanded £35million from the Italian side, according to the Express.
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With Tavares currently valued closer to £25.7million by CIES Football Observatory, it's unlikely that Arsenal will rake in the entirety of their asking price. However, if Saliba's loan spell with Marseille is anything to go by, the Gunners can expect to see the Portuguese defender finally reach the heights expected of him.
Saliba was awarded the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award following an incredibly impressive 2021/22 campaign in France. The 21-year-old has played nearly every minute of the league season for Les Olympiens, who finished second, keeping 13 clean sheets over 36 appearances.
The displays from the Frenchman - who is now valued at a mouth-watering £34.3million - earned a senior national team call-up too, making two appearances for Les Bleus in March. All in all, Marseille failed to negotiate an option-to-buy for Saliba and the French side have been left to rue their mistake.
Now, Saliba is looking forward to cementing a first-team role under Arteta at Arsenal this season. Speaking with Julien Maynard on French television programme Telefoot, the 21-year-old said: "I belong to Arsenal. I still have two years left. I will be back with Arsenal. I have played zero matches, and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club."
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