Lazio President Claudio Lotito has made it clear that Nuno Tavares, currently on loan from Arsenal, won’t be leaving the club anytime soon — even for an offer as high as €70 million.
Tavares, who joined Lazio on a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy, is expected to secure a permanent move once certain sporting conditions, likely based on appearances, are met.
In a recent statement, Lotito expressed his commitment to retaining the 24-year-old left-back: “I won’t sell him even for €70 million,” he said, emphasizing how Lazio faced stiff competition from other clubs to bring Tavares into their squad. This firm stance suggests that Lazio values Tavares highly and views him as a key asset.
For Arsenal, Tavares’ success at Lazio is good news. Arsenal will receive a fee of €9 million (£7.6 million) once the transfer is made permanent, a notable profit for the Gunners. Additionally, a 25% sell-on clause is attached to the transfer, meaning Arsenal would also benefit from any future sale of Tavares should Lazio decide to cash in on him later. This aspect of the deal provides long-term financial gain for Arsenal, especially if Tavares continues to perform at a high level and attracts offers from other clubs.
However, there may be some at Arsenal, particularly in the club’s management team, who might feel they could have negotiated a larger initial fee given Lotito’s valuation of the player. The president’s remarks suggest he believes Lazio got a great deal, which could make Arsenal’s board reconsider their valuation strategies for similar deals in the future.
Since joining Lazio, Tavares has quickly made an impact in Serie A. His recent performance against Genoa was particularly noteworthy, with the left-back contributing two assists in Lazio’s 3-0 victory. This brings Tavares to a total of seven assists for the season, putting him level with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka as the top assist provider across Europe’s top-five leagues so far in the 2024/25 campaign.
With Tavares playing a key role, Lazio currently sits sixth in Serie A, aiming for a top-four finish to secure Champions League qualification. If Tavares can continue his outstanding form, Lazio’s investment in him will seem increasingly worthwhile, while Arsenal stands to benefit financially from any further success.
Ultimately, this situation is shaping up to be mutually beneficial for both clubs. Lazio has secured a player they highly value, and Arsenal has set themselves up for potential future profit without Tavares on their payroll. For Tavares himself, Lazio’s confidence and Lotito’s vocal support may provide a significant boost as he looks to further establish himself in Italian football.
Tavares’ impressive start to the season has certainly caught the attention of both fans and analysts, and with the continued backing of Lazio, he may well prove to be one of the more impactful Serie A signings of the season. This, in turn, could make Arsenal’s initial decision to include a sell-on clause a strategic move as his stock rises.