Nottingham Forest transfer flop now has huge price tag on his head as value sky-rockets
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveBarely a few months on from leaving Nottingham Forest with just a handful of appearances under his belt, defender Nuno Tavares has seen his price tag sky-rocket.
The full-back spent last season on loan at the City Ground from Arsenal but only managed 12 games in the Garibaldi. Injury problems did not help his cause, while he was up against Ola Aina in the battle for the left-back spot.
Tavares’ deal with Forest included future options, but by the end of the campaign there was little prospect of a permanent move materialising. He returned to the Emirates Stadium and went on to join Lazio.
Now impressing in Serie A, he notched up his eighth assist in eight games in Thursday night’s 5-1 thrashing of Como. His eye-catching form has led to the Italian side putting a huge price tag on his head.
Tavares made the move on loan but Lazio have an obligation to buy him for a reported €5 million (£4.22m). However, the club’s president has said he is now worth considerably more than that.
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Claudio Lotito told Il Messaggero (via Metro): “I’m crazy for Nuno Tavares. He is not for sale, not even for €70m (£59m).”
Tavares was one of five Forest loanees last term, but none ended up staying put Trentside. Gio Reyna, Gonzalo Montiel, Divock Origi and Rodrigo Ribeiro also returned to their parent sides at the end of their deals.
This season, the Reds have just two loan players on the books - including a left-back. Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno has done well in the role, and Forest hold an option to make his move permanent. However, midfielder James Ward-Prowse joined on deadline day from West Ham United on a straight loan deal.