Lazio is set to complete the permanent signing of Nuno Tavares from Arsenal before the official summer transfer window even opens, capitalising on a newly introduced extra transfer window in early June, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Italian side plans to activate their €5 million buyout clause well ahead of schedule, securing a player they view as a hidden gem before the competition can interfere.
For Lazio, Tavares has been nothing short of a revelation, with the Rome-based newspaper describing his acquisition as a “treasure unearthed”, emphasising that his current value far surpasses the bargain fee they are set to pay.
The defender, who Arsenal originally signed from Benfica in 2021 for €8 million, is now estimated to be worth €25 million – potentially far more if his upward trajectory continues.
The new 10-day transfer window, from June 1 to June 10, is a special opportunity reserved for clubs in leagues participating in the Club World Cup.
Lazio intends to take full advantage of this loophole, ensuring Tavares’ permanent stay before the broader European market opens.
Corriere dello Sport is full of praise for Lazio’s business acumen, calling the deal “a double coup” given the €1 million-per-year instalment structure Lazio has negotiated with Arsenal, effectively securing a top-level full-back at minimal upfront cost.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito, notorious for his tough negotiating stance, is said to value Tavares at no less than €60-65 million, citing Sergej Milinković-Savić’s past price tag as an example of how he refuses to undersell assets.
However, Arsenal retains a 40% sell-on clause, ensuring they will receive a significant portion of any future sale.
The rush to finalise the transfer is not just about financial planning, it’s also about keeping Tavares out of the hands of Premier League rivals. Lazio reportedly rejected multiple approaches in January, with Chelsea among the clubs registering interest.
Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani confirmed that major bids were turned down in the winter window: “We could have added €150 million to our accounts, but we couldn’t dismantle the squad. We said no out of respect for Baroni’s work and the fans.”
Now, with Tavares’ buyout set to be triggered in early June, Lazio can dictate terms to any interested clubs rather than scrambling to negotiate a deal later in the summer.
Lazio’s wider transfer strategy depends heavily on securing Champions League qualification. Should they finish in Serie A’s top four, they will have a guaranteed financial windfall, allowing them to limit major sales.
If not, Tavares could quickly become a financial lever in the summer market.
Fabiani has already outlined Lazio’s measured approach: “We are in the middle of a two- to three-year cycle and have completed 50-60% of the work. There’s a path to follow, and we aim to reach 70-80%. Then in July, we will reassess the squad. I could sell a player, but only if we can replace him with an equally strong or even better one.”
Lazio’s calculated risk on Tavares has turned into one of the smartest transfer decisions in Serie A. As Corriere dello Sport put it, Lazio has “transformed a piece of scrap metal into a gold mine”, with the Portuguese full-back now a symbol of their shrewd transfer strategy.
By securing his permanent signing before June’s deadline, Lazio is ensuring that they remain in complete control, whether they keep Tavares as a key player or leverage him for a major profit in the years ahead.