Arsenal are close to letting Portuguese talent Nuno Tavares join Atalanta on loan, claim reports in Italy.
The 22-year-old left-back was purchased from Benfica last summer at a cost of €8m, making 30 appearances for the Gunners in all competition.
He contributed one goal and two assists, but is looking for more regular playing time in order to spread his wings.
As reported first by TuttoAtalanta and then Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, the deal was brokered by new director Lee Congerton.
It will be a pure loan deal, so without any option for Atalanta to buy at the end of the season.
However, Atalanta are trying to get some sort of option included if he makes a certain number of appearances for La Dea.
Nuno Tavares had previously been mentioned as a possible signing for Juventus, while he was also linked with Olympique Marseille.
The player will have even less room at Arsenal following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in a €35m transfer.