Arsenal are close to completing their first summer deal with the signing of Benfica full-back Nuno Tavares.
football.london understands that a transfer fee has been agreed on between the two clubs, whilst a five-year deal has been offered to the young defender.
All that appears to be stopping Tavares from becoming an Arsenal player is the standard medical and international clearance.
Confirmation appeared to be edging ever closer on Friday evening with the 21-year-old being spotted in Lisbon Airport ahead of a flight to the UK, whilst the player’s agent also posted on Instagram a picture of Tavares on his entourage aboard a plane.
That news triggered Arsenal fans into tracking the movements of a plane believed to be carrying the left-back ahead of a highly-anticipated move to the Emirates Stadium.
Here is the best of their responses from social media on Friday evening.
With his flight into the UK, Tavares looks set to become Mikel Arteta’s first addition of the summer and in a position that is somewhat uncertain.
Former Celtic defender Kieran Tierney is the Spaniard’s undoubted first choice, whilst Sead Kolasinac should be set to depart this summer.
The Bosnian left-back spent the second-half of last season on-loan with FC Schalke and looks unlikely to have a future at the Emirates Stadium. football.london understands that Lazio and Fenerbahce are interested in signing him.
Elsewhere, the Gunners remain close to deals for Brighton defender Ben White and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga of Anderlecht.
