Mikel Arteta has decided to end Nuno Tavares’ spell at Arsenal and will do all he can to sell the left-back in the summer transfer window, according to one journalist.

Tavares moved to England in July 2021 when Arsenal paid Benfica £8million to sign him. He arrived at the Emirates to compete with Kieran Tierney for a starting spot on the left side of defence.

Tavares had an eventful debut campaign at Arsenal, putting in some exciting performances but also making some bad errors in other games.

One of his lowest points came in the FA Cup third round defeat to Nottingham Forest. Arteta hauled Tavares off after just 34 minutes as he was frustrated with his display. The Portuguese wasn’t happy with the decision, as he threw his gloves to the floor in anger.

Arteta did not feel Tavares was mature enough or developed enough to make a big impact for Arsenal this season and therefore sanctioned a loan move to French club Marseille.

The Gunners replaced him with Oleksandr Zinchenko and he has done brilliantly, becoming one of Arteta’s most reliable players and even managing to replace Tierney in the starting eleven.

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Tavares’ time at Marseille has been similar to his Arsenal spell so far. He has done well at times and proven to be a threat in front of goal, scoring six times in 24 Ligue 1 outings.

However, mistakes have begun to creep back into his game recently and this has put his Marseille future in doubt.

Arsenal player facing uncertain future

The French outfit had been considering making a bid for Tavares in the summer, when he was scoring and playing at his best for them earlier in the campaign.

However, his downturn in form has got Marseille questioning whether that is the best move, and this means a return to Arsenal is the most likely scenario. The 23-year-old is facing a double snub as Arsenal are preparing to put him up for sale.

“Arsenal would like to sell him,” RMC Sport journalist Florent Germain said (via Football Club de Marseille). “The Gunners bosses don’t want to loan him for a second year in a row. He has two years left on his contract. He’s loaned without an option to buy so he will normally return to London. Marseille haven’t definitely made a decision. They haven’t clearly said they want him to go, but that’s the way it’s heading.

“At the start of the season, he seduced fans and the club. He’s in a role where it’s hard to find high-level players. The Arsenal bosses have the same opinion as the Marseille ones. They don’t see him as a reliable player. If Arsenal offer him around in the next transfer window and Marseille believe it’s worth it, there might be something to work out. Marseille remain attentive, but the likelihood is a return to Arsenal.”

Despite Tavares’ disappointing recent performances, Marseille are still the leading suitors for Tavares. Perhaps they feel they can mould him into a top full-back over time.

But Marseille will only agree to sign him from Arsenal if the price is right. Tavares’ valuation is yet to be decided by the Gunners.

Arteta’s decision to sell Tavares could be viewed as being harsh. After all, he is still relatively young and could turn out to be a great player.

But Arteta has got to be cut-throat if he is to make Arsenal one of the best teams in Europe. And with Zinchenko and Tierney in the squad, there is simply no room for Tavares.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have begun plotting a move for a Southampton player, according to a journalist.

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