Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira has found himself in a difficult position, as he has fallen further down the pecking order in North London.
Vieira joined Arsenal two years ago for around £34m, but has made just five Premier League starts in that time, and failed to gain any consistency despite showing glimpses of his talent.
With Mikel Merino set to join Arsenal from Real Sociedad, and Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao still being targeted, Vieira was set to fall further down the pecking order, and his prospect of game time at Arsenal was looking slim after he failed to impress in pre-season.
The 24-year-old is under contract until 2027, but needs to play regularly, and he has now agreed to return to his former side FC Porto on loan, but the deal may not proceed yet.
Fabio Vieira agrees to join FC Porto on loan from Arsenal
Journalist David Ornstein has now revealed that with Merino about to join, and Ethan Nwaneri rising in status this season, Vieira’s fall down the pecking order meant a loan deal was sought out.
Vieira has now agreed to return to Porto on a one-year loan deal, with no option to buy, as he aims to get his career back on track.
“Porto agree deal to re-sign Fabio Vieira on loan from Arsenal. Not in Arsenal squad for Aston Villa as FC Porto finalise move to bring midfielder back after 2022 sale. Merino arrival and Nwaneri rise reduces minutes and 24-year-old needs regular action,” he posted on X.
Vieira now faces a huge season with Porto. If he can rediscover the form he showed before his exit, which saw him score 10 and assist 18 times in 70 games, then he can prove he has a future under Mikel Arteta.
However, if he fails to impress, it seems likely that Arsenal will cut their losses on the midfielder next summer. For the deal to happen though, Porto need to complete one more transfer.
Porto must agree Francisco Conceicao exit before confirming Fabio Vieira deal
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that in order for Porto to finalise the deal with Arsenal for Vieira, they must first complete a deal which will take their winger Francisco Conceicao to Juventus.
“FC Porto agree deal to sign Fabio Vieira on loan from Arsenal, green light from player and his agent Mendes. Understand Porto will only proceed when/if Conceicao leaves,” Romano posted on X.
Conceicao impressed against Arsenal in the Champions League knockouts, and is in negotiations to join Juventus. Once he leaves, Vieira will be brought in to replace him.
This could indicate that Vieira will be used on the right wing at Porto as he has in pre-season for Arsenal, rather than in midfield, where he played in his first stint there.
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