Arsenal are reportedly closing in on their second signing of the summer transfer window with a deal for Porto star Fabio Vieira in place.
According to reports in Portugal, the Gunners have already found an agreement with the current Liga NOS champions and that the midfielder is set to fly into London imminently to complete the transfer. It remains to be seen what price Edu has agreed to pay for the 22-year-old but a €40m (£34m) release clause is reportedly written into his contract at the Estadio da Luz.
Should a deal go through as expected then Vieira will become the Gunners’ second addition of the transfer window having already confirmed the arrival of Brazilian youngster Marquinhos - with the young winger signing from Sao Paulo. Vieira, a product of the FC Porto academy enjoyed a stand-out season for the Portuguese giants last season.
He scored seven goals and notched 16 assists in all competitions as the side won the league and the Taca de Portugal under the stewardship of Sérgio Conceição. He has three years remaining on his current contract.
Following his anticipated switch to the Emirates Stadium, he will add to Mikel Arteta ’s midfield options - the position having been identified as a priority ahead of the summer transfer window. He has also deputised in wide positions on a number of occasions so his versatility will be a welcome addition.
Whilst the signing of Vieira appears to have come out of nowhere, he is not the first Porto star that Arsenal have been linked with this summer. They were also rumoured to be competing with Premier League rivals Manchester United for the signing of former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Vitinha.
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However, Porto president Pinto da Costa has suggested that any interested party must pay the release clause written into his contract to stand any chance of agreeing a deal despite admitting that they had already received an offer.
Speaking with the press, he said: “There was a concrete offer, of considerable value, for Vitinha that we did not accept. And we refered them to the release clause, which is only way to take our player.”
Should Arsenal manage to seal a deal for Vieira over the coming days, that could well affect their remaining summer business. Leicester star Youri Tielemans was previously identified as a priority signing although there will be questions over whether the Belgian is still needed.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are still in dire need of attacking options. Alexandre Lacazette has already elected to wave goodbye to north London by rejoining former side Lyon. Eddie Nketiah is expected to sign a new contract, but has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Emirates Stadium with his current one expiring this summer.
Should he leave, then that would leave Arsenal without a recognised senior striker heading into the 2022/23 campaign.
