Arsenal are set to make a final decision on a Nuno Tavares loan to Atalanta next week, with the Serie A side pushing for a purchase clause.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Nuno Tavares of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on September 18, 2021 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND: Nuno Tavares of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on September 18, 2021. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal will make their final decision on a Nuno Tavares deal next week. Talks are ongoing with Atalanta over a loan, but there’s no agreement over whether to include a buy option in the deal.

For Tavares’ part, he’s keen on the move, and talks are set to continue in the coming days.

Di Marzio report the same thing, claiming Arsenal would like to loan Tavares to Atalanta, but the Serie A club are only keen on a deal if it includes an option to buy. As per Romano, Di Marzio suggest Tavares is keen on the move.

On Friday, Romano broke the news that Atalanta – not Brighton or Marseille – were leading the race to sign Nuno Tavares on loan.

Negotiations with Marseille reportedly ended last week, with the previous talk of progress on a deal denied. Brighton have indeed made enquiries, but Atalanta are at the front of the queue.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Nuno Tavares of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Nuno Tavares of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images)

Atalanta director Lee Congerton has been in charge of negotiations, having previously admitted his admiration for Tavares.

“I’ve followed Tavares since he was playing for Benfica’s youth team, he’s a strong player,” Congerton said in June. “But Tavares is under contract with Arsenal – and it’s really difficult to sign players from Premier League clubs.”

Arsenal have signed Oleksandr Zinchenko to add to their options at left-back, with Kieran Tierney already at the club.