Arsenal have reached an agreement with Benfica to sign left-back Nuno Tavares this summer.
The Gunners are looking for someone to compete with Kieran Tierney, who recently signed a new five-year deal, and their interest in 21-year-old Tavares emerged on Monday.
Benfica were expected to endure a fee of close to £ 15 million, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have agreed a deal that will get them to take on Tavares for an initial £ 7 million, excluding bonuses and supplements.
Personal terms were not a problem for Arsenal, who have agreed a five-year contract with Tavares and have already confirmed these details with their agent, whose fees have also been agreed.
Tavares has not yet put paper on paper, but all indications are that he will be the next signing of the Mikel Arteta era.
Tavares will compete with Tierney / Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images
The Portuguese youth international made 25 appearances in all competitions last season, playing mainly as a traditional full-back, but shifting further up the pitch when needed, and Arsenal see him as capable of competing with Tierney as soon as he arrives.
With an agreement on Tavares that is now ready, Arsenal can continue to push forward with moves for other goals. A £ 50m deal for Brighton center-back Ben White is under way, while the Gunners are still keen to sign Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Arsenal failed to make a £ 13m bid for the 21-year-old, but Romano adds that they have raised their offer to £ 15m, with a further £ 3.5m added.
Arsenal also want Sambi Lokonga / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Initial reports suggested Anderlecht were looking for a deal that would guarantee them £ 17m, so this bid may be enough to get things done if Arsenal’s additions are realistic.
It’s the small issue of a sales clause to negotiate as well. Anderlecht want Arsenal to agree to hand over 15% of any future sales of Lokonga, which has contributed to the delay negotiations.
Lokonga and Tavares may be two of five big signings that the Gunners are said to be targeting. 90 minutes revealed earlier this month that Arsenal are willing to spend up to £ 250 million on a handful of new players this summer, with the transfer budget largely funded by the club but also replenished by some winger leaving.
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