Talks are ongoing between Arsenal and Marseille over Nuno Tavares, but the situation remains complex, according to a report.

Charles Watts reports that Arsenal and Marseille are in negotiations over a potential permanent transfer for Nuno Tavares in the winter window.

Marseille are keen on the move, and both Arsenal and Tavares are open to it. But Nottingham Forest are the primary obstacle, with the defender still currently on loan with the Premier League side.

Arsenal don’t have a recall clause in Tavares’ contract, and Forest currently aren’t keen to let the player go, complicating the situation.

RMC Sport reported earlier this week that Tavares was keen to return to Marseille, following his loan spell with the club last season.

Marseille are on the lookout for a new left-back, and their pursuit of a number of their other targets has failed to bear fruit.

L’Equipe claim Tavares is now the Ligue 1 club’s priority transfer, and Marseille bosses reportedly believe the deal could be easier to complete than most of the alternatives.

But as it stands, Nottingham Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo don’t want to let the player go.

Up until a few weeks ago, you would’ve thought that Forest would be happy to let Tavares go.

The defender didn’t even make it into the Forest squad for a month and a half, despite being fit to play.

But Santo’s appointment has changed that, and the Arsenal loanee played 90 minutes of a Premier League fixture against Brentford over the weekend.

With his return to the team, the situation has changed, and Arsenal might have a tougher time convincing Forest to let Tavares depart for France.