Besiktas President Reveals Negotiations For Lazio’s Nuno Tavares Are “Well Advanced”

According to Besiktas’ president, Nuno Tavares is on the verge of a move to Turkey.

Nuno Tavares has found himself out of favor after a string of questionable performances early on in the season, and his future now looks set to be away from Rome.

Having been a faithful servant to Maurizio Sarri across his second tenure at Lazio, dwindling game time has forced Tavares and his agent to look further afield for more consistent minutes.

Besiktas have quickly emerged as the most likely destination this week, despite Borussia Dortmund enquiring about a deal earlier this month.

Besiktas President Says Nuno Tavares Deal is Close

That is according to Besiktas president Serdal Adali, who publicly confirmed negotiations with Lazio are now at an advanced stage.

“For Nuno Tavares, there appear to be no issues on the player’s side. Talks with his parent club are ongoing and a further meeting took place yesterday. The deal could be wrapped up as early as today or in the coming days.

“The operation remains well advanced and shows no signs of breaking down, even though the club already have an alternative plan in place should the move fail to materialise.”

Several reports have claimed the deal includes an initial half-season loan deal, which will be followed by an obligation to buy for €10 million in the summer.

Lazio Ready to Sanction a Quick-Fire Sale For Tavares

What started out as one of Lazio’s most successful signings in recent memory has quickly turned sour.

The pace at which Tavares’ stock has fallen is scarcely believable, dropping an estimated €10 million in the space of a year. Just last season, Lazio president Claudio Lotito boldly declared that he wouldn’t sell Tavares, even if he was offered €70 million.

His initial loan spell last season began in spectacular fashion, racking up eight goals involvements in nine league appearances.

Lazio made his move permanent before the start of the current campaign, but after a muscular problem kept him out of the side for four games in October, the 25-year-old has found himself an unused substitute in seven of Lazio’s last nine games.

The Biancocelesti paid €7 million for Tavares, and are expected to make a small profit, once Besiktas complete the signing on a permanent basis.

Former employers Arsenal will also be in for a payday of their own, with the Premier League leaders set to receive a 35 percent sell-on fee.

Maurizio Sarri Irked By Lazio’s January Departures

Despite Luca Pellegrini now Lazio’s first-choice at left-back, manager Maurizio Sarri will be left with very little depth in that position, particularly with Dimitrije Kamenovic out on loan once again.

Sarri criticized the Lazio board after being forced to field Kenneth Taylor after just once training session together; a player he, much likes fellow new recruit Petar Ratkov, knew little about.

He also bemoaned the recent sale of Matteo Guendouzi to Fernerbache, which has resulted in palpable tension between the two parties

While Tavares is also likely to have wanted more game time given Sarri’s preferences, the 67-year-old will more than likely be urging the hierarchy to find him a replacement.

Sarri could resign immediately if Alessio Romagnoli is sold in January if reports are to be believed, despite pledging his unyielding loyalty to Lazio for the foreseeable.