Real Sociedad have joined the race to sign Nuno Tavares alongside Marseille, with Arsenal interest in Oleksandr Zinchenko making an exit more likely.

The Evening Standard report that Marseille and Real Sociedad are both fans of Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares.

The suggestion is that various clubs want to sign the 22-year-old on loan, and the Standard had claimed the move was likely linked to the potential transfer of Lisandro Martinez.

Martinez is headed for Manchester United, but links have emerged today between Arsenal and Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Like Martinez, Zinchenko is capable of playing at left-back or in midfield.

The signing would provide an alternative to Kieran Tierney if Tavares was unavailable, freeing the Portugal u21 international to pursue a loan move.

La Provence recently reported that Tavares is one of Marseille’s options for the left-back position this summer. Sporting director Pablo Longoria has been in London in recent days to pursue the loan transfer.

L’Equipe claim that Marseille see Tavares as a priority transfer target this summer, following the arrival of Igor Tudor as their new head coach.

Tudor plans to use wing-backs, and Marseille see Tavares as a strong addition for the role on the left-hand side.

Arsenal obviously have good relations with the French club following the transfers of Matteo Guendouzi, Sead Kolasinac, and the loan of William Saliba.

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