Nuno Tavares is enjoying a seriously impressive run of form since joining Lazio from Arsenal and has already had a huge price tag placed on him.
The 24-year-old moved to the Italian club over the summer, only on loan but with Lazio having an obligation to buy him for just €5m (£4.22m).
That looks set to be an exceptional bit of business for the Rome club as the Portuguese full-back has made a stunning start to life in Italy.
Lazio battered Como 5-1 on Thursday night and Tavares recorded his eighth Serie A assist of the season, in just eight games.
It is a brilliant attacking return from the full-back, who is already well travelled in his young career.
Arsenal signed him from Benfica in 2021 and Tavares has since spent loan spells at Marseille, Nottingham Forest and now Lazio.
It looks like he has found a home now, though, with club president Claudio Lotito saying he has absolutely no intention of selling him when he becomes a permanent Lazio player.
Lotito told Il Messaggero: ‘I’m crazy for Nuno Tavares. He is not for sale, not even for €70m (£59m).’
It is not the first time Lotito has praised the defender, telling Il Messaggero last month: ‘We have built a new team with potential suited to today’s football, be patient.
‘Ours is a real and strong group. We have many players called up by the national team , but I am convinced that all the new arrivals are also of a high level.
‘But have you seen what technique [Taty] Castellanos has? And now he has also made his debut with Argentina.
‘You always have to give the players time to settle in. Tavares is the same, have you seen what a player he is? And now you will also see [Samuel] Gigot.’
Tavares is not the only Arsenal connection at Lazio, with French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi also a regular in the first team under Marco Baroni.
It has been a strong start to the season for Lazio, with the win over Como seeing them climb to fifth in the table, six points behind leaders Napoli.
MORE : ‘He’s the right player’ – Patrick Vieira urges Arsenal to sign Aston Villa star Jhon Duran
MORE : Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres ‘not happy’ about Ruben Amorim leaving Sporting for Manchester United
MORE : Former Premier League star mocks Arsenal fans for ‘nonsense referee conspiracy’
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.