Why Lazio Turned Down Porto’s Offer for Wantaway Full-Back | OneFootball

While Lazio are open to selling Nuno Tavares, Porto have reportedly been told they must improve their offer.

Nuno Tavares Destined to Leave Lazio?

The 26-year-old’s future has been a topic of discussion since the start of the summer, especially following the arrival of Alfonso Pedraza. The 30-year-old Spaniard has seemingly locked down a starting role in Gennaro Gattuso’s lineup, while Tavares has been struggling with another muscle injury that kept him out of the majority of the pre-season camp.

However, the Portuguese’s physical woes might not be his only issue, as there seems to be some tension between the player and the Lazio management, or possibly the technical staff. In recent days, it was noticed that the former Arsenal man deleted all traces of Lazio from his Instagram account, potentially foreshadowing an imminent departure.

Porto Submit Opening Offer for Tavares

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Tavares genuinely believes his Lazio chapter is well and truly over. The Portugal international is open to a return to his home country, and Porto would be thrilled to accommodate him. The Dragao’s Italian head coach, Francesco Farioli, is said to be a keen admirer of the player.

The Formula & Figures

While Pedulla confirms that the Portuguese giants have made an offer for the left-back, he insists that the formula didn’t appease Lazio. Porto tried to sign the Lisbon native on an initial loan worth no more than €2 million, plus an option to buy at the end of the season. On the contrary, the Biancocelesti prefer a different formula, one that guarantees a permanent transfer.

Tavares’ Contract, Salary & Arsenal Clause

Tavares is tied to Lazio with a contract valid until June 2029. He is the club’s third-highest earner, only behind Alessio Romagnoli and Mattia Zaccagni, with a net salary of €2.5 million per year. It should also be noted that Arsenal remain an interested third party, as they would collect 35% of the transfer fee in case of a sale.