Nuno Tavares ‘set for transfer’ as Leeds United make move
Leeds United Eye Lazio’s Nuno Tavares as Junior Firpo Replacement in Summer Transfer Window
Leeds United have reportedly set their sights on Lazio defender Nuno Tavares as a potential replacement for Junior Firpo, who officially departed Elland Road at the end of June following the expiration of his contract. The West Yorkshire club is keen to reinforce its left-back options ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, and Tavares has emerged as a serious candidate.
Firpo Departure Leaves Vacancy at Left-Back
Firpo, who joined Leeds from Barcelona in 2021, endured a mixed spell at the club. While he occasionally demonstrated attacking promise, his time in England was largely overshadowed by injury setbacks and defensive inconsistencies. With his contract now expired, the 27-year-old is exploring his next move, and has been linked with a possible return to Real Betis in Spain, although no final decision has been made on his future.
Leeds and West Ham Monitor Tavares Situation
According to Calciomercato (3 July), both Leeds United and West Ham United are closely monitoring Nuno Tavares’ situation at Lazio, with the Portuguese full-back potentially available for transfer during the current window. Lazio are believed to be open to selling the 25-year-old and have reportedly set an asking price in the region of £17 million to £21 million to facilitate a deal.
Tavares, who was originally signed by Arsenal from Benfica in 2021, has seen his career take a winding path via a series of loan spells at Marseille, Nottingham Forest, and now Lazio, where he has shown signs of maturity and development. His improved displays in Serie A have reignited interest from Premier League sides, including Leeds, who are eager to bolster their squad under Daniel Farke.
Tavares’ Career at a Glance
Club Appearances Goals Assists
Benfica 41 1 6
Arsenal 28 1 2
Marseille (loan) 39 6 –
Nottingham Forest (loan) 12 0 0
Lazio (loan) 30 0 9
These numbers reflect a player who has steadily developed across Europe, with a notable improvement in his attacking output and decision-making in Italy.
Why Tavares Would Be a Strong Signing for Leeds
Should Leeds complete a deal for Tavares, it would represent a significant upgrade on Firpo in several key areas. Tavares possesses explosive pace, attacking intent, and has shown increasing positional discipline — traits that were sometimes lacking in Firpo’s game during his Leeds tenure.
While the Portuguese international did struggle with consistency during his time at Arsenal, his loan experiences across top European leagues have clearly helped him mature as a defender. At Lazio, Tavares has developed into a more rounded player, contributing both defensively and offensively, including nine assists during his stint in Serie A — an impressive figure for a left-back.
Importantly, Tavares’ athleticism and pressing ability would align well with Farke’s high-tempo, aggressive tactical style. His versatility—being able to push high up the pitch and recover defensively—would be crucial for a Leeds side aiming to not just survive, but thrive, in the Premier League.
A Worthy Investment?
The reported price tag may seem steep for a Championship-returnee, but Tavares’ age, experience across multiple top leagues, and upward trajectory suggest he could prove to be a valuable long-term investment. His ceiling remains high, and under the right management, he could blossom into one of the division’s most effective full-backs.
With competition from clubs like West Ham, Leeds may need to act quickly to secure his signature and avoid a bidding war. If they can pull off the deal, it would send a clear message of ambition as they seek to reestablish themselves in the Premier League.