Arteta no longer wants 'terrific' Arsenal player, negotiations pencilled in with top-flight club

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on Aaron Hickey this summer.

Early in May, 1000 Cuori Rossoblu claimed the Gunners were leading the race for the 20-year-old.

Weeks later, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Arsenal were ‘pressing heavily with an offer of €25m (around £21m)’.

And just this week, Bologna director Marco Di Vaio admitted his club could “sacrifice” Hickey in the transfer market.

With Arsenal seemingly closing in on a new left-back, this could spell bad news for Nuno Tavares.

The 22-year-old joined the Gunners last season and made 28 appearances in all competitions.

However, Tavares was hit-and-miss for Arsenal, often looking defensively vulnerable.

This has led to speculation over his future at the Emirates Stadium.

‘There is a possibility’

Now, Gazzetta dello Sport – via Sport Witness – claims Arsenal and Atalanta will engage in talks over Tavares.

The outlet claims the Serie A side has ‘elected’ him ‘as a potential heir to Robin Gosens’.

In fact, ‘the negotiations with the Gunners have been set up’.

And ‘there is a possibility of dock it to port, even if the deal is not easy’.

Gazzetta also claims Atalanta see Tavares as a perfect fit for their side.

That said, ‘there is a need for growth from a tactical point of view’.

But if Gian Piero Gasperini can coach him, then ‘the leap in quality will almost become a foregone conclusion’.

And since Arsenal ‘don’t seem willing to bet on him’ going forward, the Bergamo outfit ‘wants to take advantage’ of the situation.

The report doesn’t specify whether Atalanta are looking to sign Tavares on loan or permanently.

Admittedly, the 22-year-old did struggle, but it was his first season at Arsenal and in the Premier League.

You’d think Arteta would maybe want see how Tavares does on loan and then reassess next season.

Nonetheless, it remains to be seen what Arsenal decide to do with the “terrific” full-back.