Arsenal 25yo dropped from national squad days before semi-final | OneFootball

Nuno Tavares has been cut from Portugal’s final 26-man squad for their UEFA Nations League games, despite being called up by Roberto Martínez and training with the group in Oeiras.

Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images

The Arsenal defender, who spent the season on loan at Lazio, was one of 27 players initially selected and is the only outfield player to be dropped from the travelling party with the squad needing to be cut to 26.

Although Tavares will remain with the squad until their departure, he will not feature against Germany in the semi-final on Wednesday unless a late injury prompts a reshuffle.

His omission is a blow for a player who had fought his way back into the national picture after a mixed season in Italy.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Tavares is unlikely to return to Arsenal this summer.

Despite a turbulent loan at Nottingham Forest in 2023, the 25-year-old regained form with Lazio, making enough of an impression, despite a few injuries, that the Serie A club have apparently triggered their purchase clause to make the move permanent.

The fee, reportedly in the region of £7 million, will bring an end to his Arsenal career after arriving from Benfica in 2021 for €8m.