West Ham United want to sign Nuno Taveres in Arsenal transfer news
West Ham are interested in bringing Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares to the club this summer, but the Gunners will ask for £21million to let him go, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.
Following news that Arsenal and West Ham have agreed on a deal for Declan Rice, a report has emerged that West Ham want to do a deal for Gunners left-back Tavares, with the North London club letting their demands be known.
The report suggests that Tavares will wait for a “more important” club to come in for him, with Turkish outfit Galatasaray also interested in securing his services.
This report has emerged after the player’s agent revealed his desire to stay at Arsenal, despite his future at the club looking uncertain after a mixed loan spell with Marseille [Daily Mail].
Arsenal could get revenge for Rice negotiations
West Ham held firm in their negotiations with Arsenal for the Rice deal, initially holding out for the £100m+ transfer fee, and then for further negotiations regarding the structure of the deal [David Ornstein, 4 July].
In demanding a high fee for Tavares, Arsenal could make an attempt at getting their revenge should West Ham step up their interest, with the Gunners sure to hold out for a deal that suits them as they are not desperate to sell anybody this summer.
Tavares would be a good option for West Ham, with the rapid full-back providing a different style to Emerson and Aaron Cresswell. His dynamism and willingness to take on his man are displayed in the stats, with Tavares in the 98th percentile for completed take-ons, and the 95th for progressive carries among left-backs in Ligue 1 last season.
If Tavares is among West Ham’s targets in this transfer window, they should pursue a deal. He is a serious upgrade on their current options and has room to improve at only 23 years old.
In other West Ham news, one player has admitted leaving the club was the worst decision of his career.