Arsenal Set for January Windfall as Sarri Asks Lazio for Full-Back Reshuffle

Lazio are seriously considering the sale of Nuno Tavares in January, which would have a knock-on effect on Arsenal.

The Background

The Portuguese made the move from the Gunners to the Italian capital side in the summer 2024, and he instantly cemented himself as the main star of the show during Marco Baroni’s first months in charge. The left-back produced eight assists in his first eight Serie A appearances. However, a series of muscle injuries hampered the player’s early momentum.

Nuno Tavares Struggling Under Maurizio Sarri

This season, Tavares has been healthy thus far, but he has yet to find his footing under Maurizio Sarri, who is demanding a higher level of defensive discipline. The former Marseille star was even dropped from the starting lineup following a howler that gifted Roma the victory in the Derby della Capitale, only to regain his place due to Luca Pellegrini’s injury against Genoa.

Maurizio Sarri Wants a New Full-Back

According to Il Messaggero, Sarri has asked Lazio to sign a new full-back in January, as he considers it a priority. While the club is expected to lift the transfer ban next month, their transfer dealings will likely be restricted, so the cost of their new signings cannot exceed their sales.

Therefore, if the Aquile wish to sign a new full-back in the winter, they must first sacrifice one of their own, and the main suspect will be Tavares, who had a host of suitors last summer, including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal.

Arsenal Clause & Lazio’s Asking Price

This would be terrific news for Arsenal, who have a 40% sell-on fee on any future resale. However, the source warns that the player’s market value has significantly dropped, so Lazio’s €50 million asking price from last summer is no longer realistic.