EXCLUSIVE: On-loan Nottingham Forest star now wants to leave City Ground in January following unhappiness and frustration over lack of game time under Steve Cooper
Nuno Tavares is keen to leave Nottingham Forest and head back to Arsenal when the January transfer window reopens. The Reds player has failed to get himself in the team at the City Ground and he’s not impressed Steve Cooper.
Tavares joined the club early on transfer deadline day in a season-long deal from the Gunners. He’s started just one game for the Reds and that came during the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City where he was subbed off with an injury.
The 23-year-old has made three appearances in total at the City Ground. His time on the pitch, however, has equated to just 94 minutes and that simply won’t do.
The man who played for the Portugal under-21s at last summer’s European Championships is now wanting to quit the Reds. Forest are likely to sanction an exit for Tavares, given a distinct lack of game time.
According to Mais Football, Tavares is very keen to go back to Arsenal and get hooked up with another loan move after his Forest nightmare. Given that a permanent clause was included after so many games, it seems likely that Arsenal may try and sell him.
Tavares was signed by Forest on the back of a good season with Marseille during 2022/23. He scored six goals in 39 appearances in Ligue 1 and played the full campaign as the left-sided wing-back option.
This is one January transfer that hasn’t worked out and represents a lack of joined-up thinking when it comes to recruitment. Forest head coach Steve Cooper clearly didn’t want Tavares and has instead preferred Harry Toffolo, Ola Aina or Neco Williams on the left.
Forest have to stop making transfers like this. They will have wasted a fortune on wages to take Tavares and it’s likely that they paid a hefty loan feel to take him in the first place.
Evangelos Marinakis and the hierarchy have done lots of good things at the club. However, Tavares represents one aspect of the club that Forest simply have to do better and it’s all down to recruitment.
