Atalanta are interested in Nuno Tavares this summer, but Arsenal will only let the 22-year-old go on loan or for a substantial fee.

Di Marzio report that Atalanta have set their sights on Nuno Tavares of Arsenal this summer. However, Arsenal are asking for either a straight loan with no option to buy, or an obligation to buy at €40m (£34m).

Arsenal only brought Tavares to the club last summer, signing him from Benfica for around £7m.

But after 28 appearances this season and given he’s on a long-term contract, the Gunners clearly feel his value has significantly increased.

Atalanta aren’t so sure, and Di Marzio report the Serie A club aren’t keen on a straight loan or a €40m clause.

For the time being, that makes a move appear unlikely, but there’s a long way to go this summer. If Atalanta or Arsenal change their stance as the window progresses, a transfer could still go through.

The fact that Arsenal are open to a loan at all perhaps increases the likelihood of a serious move for Aaron Hickey.

Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with an attempt to sign the Scottish left-back, but it didn’t feel like a priority whilst Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares were both at the club with promising youngster Lino Sousa in the u23s.

If Tavares leaves on loan, however, then a gap opens up for a new signing like Hickey to challenge for the first-team spot.