Nuno Tavares has undergone his medical exams in Lisbon and spoken to Mikel Arteta ahead of his transfer to Arsenal this week.

A Bola report that ahead of his €8m transfer to Arsenal, plus €2m in add-ons, Nuno Tavares has held his physical tests and medical examinations in Lisbon.

Record claim Tavares is travelling to London today after his absence from training with Benfica on Thursday, but A Bola explain that Arsenal preferred that he take his medical before he made the trip.

The reason why is that Tavares will be forced to quarantine for at least five days upon arrival. If he travelled to England first, he’d have to wait five days to hold his medical, and may then end up having to return to Lisbon if the tests showed any problems.

That would have been a big waste of time, so it’s better for the medical to take place in Lisbon and Tavares to make the trip afterwards. If all goes to plan, the player should now be free for his formal announcement by the middle of next week.

In the meantime, A Bola add that Mikel Arteta has already welcomed the player, speaking to him on the phone after the transfer was agreed.

Assuming Tavares tests negative for Covid after his five days in quarantine, he can join up with Arsenal for pre-season. He should easily be available for the Edinburgh training camp and the early pre-season fixtures, all being well.