In a surprising turn of events that’s set to bolster Arsenal’s finances amid the January transfer window, the Gunners are poised to receive a significant windfall from a former player’s impending move. Nuno Tavares, the Portuguese left-back who was one of Mikel Arteta’s early signings, is on the verge of sealing a transfer to Turkish giants Besiktas, triggering a lucrative sell-on clause inserted by Arsenal.
Tavares, now 25, departed Arsenal permanently just last June, joining Serie A side Lazio for a fee of £6 million. However, the clever inclusion of a sell-on clause—reportedly between 30 and 40 percent—means Arsenal will pocket anywhere from £2.5 million to £3.4 million once the deal with Besiktas is finalized. Multiple reports indicate that Besiktas have agreed to a half-season loan for Tavares, which includes an obligation to buy him for £8.5 million in the summer.
This financial boost comes at an opportune time for Arsenal, who have been navigating a competitive Premier League season and could use the funds to strengthen their squad. The extra cash injection underscores the shrewd business acumen of Arteta and the club’s hierarchy, turning a past investment into ongoing revenue.
Tavares’ journey since arriving at Arsenal has been a rollercoaster. Signed from Benfica for £8 million in July 2021 as Arteta’s 11th acquisition, he featured in just one full season at the Emirates. That campaign was marked by challenges, including a infamous moment in the FA Cup where Arteta substituted him after only 34 minutes in a loss to Nottingham Forest. Subsequent loans to Marseille and Forest followed, before his permanent switch to Lazio.
During the 2024-25 season, Tavares impressed on loan at Lazio, making 30 appearances and contributing nine assists. But the return of Maurizio Sarri as manager last summer shifted the dynamics. Sarri, the former Chelsea boss, quickly deemed Tavares surplus to requirements, describing him as “anarchic” in an interview with Tuttomercatoweb. “Nuno Tavares is the only unknown of the defence I will start working with,” Sarri said. “He’s very talented, but anarchic, so can become remarkable if we manage to get him in position.”
Under Sarri, Tavares tumbled down the pecking order, prompting Lazio to make him available for transfer despite having just signed him permanently. The Italian club has already lined up a replacement, with Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza expected to join this month. Lazio’s swift pivot highlights their intent to flip Tavares for profit, but it’s Arsenal who stand to gain the most from this chain of events.
Besiktas, meanwhile, appear eager to integrate the three-time Portugal international into their squad. Club president Serdar Adali confirmed their interest over the weekend, stating, “We are working to sign him.” This move could provide Tavares with the stability and trust he has openly craved. In past interviews, he hinted at frustrations during his Arsenal tenure.
Speaking to L’Equipe in 2024, Tavares reflected on his relationships with coaches: “It’s always different when a club and a coach trust you, bet on you. Igor Tudor is the coach who placed the most trust in me with Jorge Jesus.” Earlier, in 2022, he expressed disappointment over Arsenal’s refusal to include a buy option in his Marseille loan, telling RMC Sport: “At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me, that’s not even the point. I came to Marseille to finally be able to play in my position. When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused.”
As Tavares prepares for his next chapter in Turkey, Arsenal fans will be watching closely to see how this financial uplift impacts the club’s January plans. With the transfer window in full swing, questions arise: Do the Gunners need reinforcements in key areas like midfield or attack? This unexpected boost could provide the flexibility to pursue targets without straining the budget.
While Tavares’ Arsenal story didn’t unfold as hoped, his ongoing career moves continue to benefit the club that first brought him to the Premier League. It’s a reminder that in football, smart clauses can turn departures into dividends.