Arsenal flop ‘could play for Barca or City’ as boss calls him ‘outstanding’

ARSENAL could have another loan star on their hands.

That’s after Marseille defender Nuno Tavares was hailed as an “outstanding” player who “could play for Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City.”

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Tavares, 23, joined Arsenal from Benfica for £8million in 2021.

He played 28 times in his first season at the Emirates but struggled for consistency and form.

The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko saw Tavares shipped out on loan to Marseille last summer.

But just like striker Folarin Balogun at Reims, he is looking like a proper player again with six goals in 32 matches.

Tavares’ fine form has helped Marseille reach second in Ligue 1.

And boss Igor Tudor believes the Portuguese whiz is now a world-class star capable of playing for any top side.

He declared: “Nuno’s still a young player but he has fantastic physical capabilities. He’s got an outstanding ability to run.

“He could play at Real, at Barcelona, at Man City… he still needs to grow and progress, we talk a lot to him.”

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Should Tavares return to Arsenal and challenge for a first-team place next season, it could bring Kieran Tierney’s future into question.

The Scot has endured another injury-plagued campaign and has been linked with a move to Newcastle.

Tavares isn’t the only Arsenal loanee shining this season, with England U21 forward Balogun setting Reims alight with 18 goals in all competitions.

The Gunners already have plenty of firepower up top.

And Balogun is open to waiting for his chance by taking in a second spell in France.

He said: “Contractually I have to go back because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.

“I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future.

“A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.

“I mean there’s no door that’s closed. Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. 

“So yeah I mean I don’t know what the future will bring.”