Nuno Tavares set to stay at Lazio after talks with Gattuso | OneFootball

Nuno Tavares looks set to remain at Lazio after positive talks with incoming head coach Gennaro Gattuso.

According to The Laziali, the 48-year-old has spoken in depth with the Portugal international and is an admirer. Barring any market twists, Gattuso expects to have the 26-year-old available next season.

Gattuso has agreed to replace Maurizio Sarri, who has left and signed for Atalanta. He is due at Formello this week, potentially on Thursday, to sign his contract and has already been contacting players.

Lazio have secured left-back Alfonso Pedraza, who will arrive on a free once his Villarreal deal expires at season’s end. As a result, Luca Pellegrini could be surplus and might join Como, who hold an interest.

A Benfica academy graduate, Tavares joined Arsenal in 2021 but struggled for minutes in North London. He spent 2022/23 on loan at Marseille under Igor Tudor, then played for Nottingham Forest in 2023/24 after returning to England.

Lazio signed him in summer 2024 for €6 million, with Arsenal retaining a 35% sell-on. He started strongly before injuries, found Sarri’s system hard to absorb this season, then won back a starting spot with improved defensive work.

Source: The Laziali