Arsenal defender prefers to stay next season

Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares could continue with the club next season, according to his representative.

The Portuguese was sent out on loan to Marseille last term following the club's signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Tavares had a mixed spell in France where they were concerns over his discipline. Marseille don't plan to re-sign him.

The former Benfica man will be involved with Arsenal in pre-season and his agent Cesar Bonaventura claims that he wants to stay put.

He told Tibet Tore: "Nuno is still under contract at Arsenal. He wants to stay in the team but we'll see what happens in the future."

Arsenal are currently contemplating the sale of Kieran Tierney. The Scot is eyeing regular game time in the prime of his career.

His departure could open the door for Tavares to stay as the Gunners will need defensive cover for Zinchenko who is injury-prone.

The final decision rests on manager Mikel Arteta. He could also decide to offload Tavares as Takehiro Tomiyasu can play at left-back.