Arsenal are set to seal their third signing of the summer transfer window after agreeing a £35million deal for Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.
football.london understands Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira who is in London finalising his move from Portugal. The Gunners have accelerated their transfer plans and are set to prioritise a move for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez after Vieira's deal is confirmed.
Mikel Arteta is set to have a wealth of attacking options at his disposal next season, and the club are targeting a move for Brazilian duo Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha with technical director Edu holding positive talks with Jesus' representatives in the last six months. Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating Vieira's announcement and the Portuguese playmaker has shown his new club why he is such a talent with an impressive Lionel Messi statistic comparison.
READ MORE: Who is Fabio Vieira? The £34m-rated starlet who is 'flying to London' to agree Arsenal transfer
The 22-year-old had an impressive season in Portugal last term, scoring seven goals and registering a massive 16 assists, one more than Messi managed for Paris Saint-Germain in all competitions. Both Vieira and the PSG superstar play similar positions in attack, being utilised as attacking midfielders, right wingers and second strikers.
And only Messi played more through balls than the Portuguese playmaker per 90 minutes (0.81) in the top six leagues in Europe last season. Vieira recorded the highest 'open play assists' per 90 minutes (0.68) in the Portuguese top-flight, highlighting his creative ability.
Arsenal are reportedly set to prioritise a move for Lisandro Martinez as soon as Vieira's move is confirmed and concluded by the club. The 22-year-old could be assisting the likes of Jesus and Raphinha next season should the Gunners complete deals for all of their main transfer targets this summer.
