Atalanta 'considering loan move for Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares'

Atalanta 'could make a move for Arsenal's Nuno Tavares' just a year after the Portuguese left-back arrived at the Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old, who signed from Benfica for £8million last July, didn't always perform consistently when deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney in the Gunners' back line.

Now reports in Italy suggest Atalanta are set for talks with Arsenal over a potential deal for Tavares - most likely a loan - as they seek a replacement for Robin Gosens, who signed for Inter Milan back in January.

Gazzetta dello Sport said negotiations with Arsenal may not be straightforward but Atalanta believe there is a possibility of getting the deal done before next season.

Tavares made 28 appearances during his first season at the Emirates, scoring one goal and contributing two assists. He has played eight times for Portugal at under-21 level.

His main stretches of regular game time for Mikel Arteta's side came when Scotland international Tierney, the club's first choice left-back, was sidelined through injury.

An ankle issue saw Tavares complete six consecutive Premier League matches during between late October and early December.

He then returned to sitting on the bench until the concluding weeks of the campaign, when Tierney suffered a serious knee injury.

Arsenal looked well positioned to qualify for the Champions League but were overtaken by rivals Tottenham during the final few games and ended up in fifth, making only the Europa League.

Gazzetta add that both Tavares and Arsenal still need to be convinced Atalanta is a good destination to continue his development.

After three seasons of Champions League football, Atalanta missed out on the European places altogether as they finished eighth in Serie A.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are closing in on their third summer signing after agreeing a £30million deal for Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.