Arsenal are expected to find themselves busy during the summer transfer window but the fate of one of their players continues to hang on the balance as the season nears its end
Fabio Vieira’s Arsenal future continues to hang in the balance after a season out on loan. The Portugal international had been due to return to North London after a year back at old club Porto, but that no longer looks as certain as it once did.
The spanner in the works comes courtesy of none other than Andre Villas-Boas. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has been Porto’s president since 2024, and appears to be a big fan of Vieira.
Vieira, who joined Arsenal from Porto for around £30million back in 2022, has scored five times in 38 appearances during his current loan. He was expected to play in the upcoming Club World Cup before returning to his parent club.
According to Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness), though, he could yet stay put. The Portuguese outlet claims Villas-Boas is spearheading negotiations, which could lead to an extension of his loan or even a permanent move back to the Dragao.
Porto will begin their Club World Cup campaign against Palmeiras on June 15, followed by group games against Al Ahly and Inter Miami. Clubs involved in the competition are allowed to extend contracts of players whose deals are otherwise due to expire on Jun 30 in order to allow them to play in the tournament, which runs until mid-July.
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Vieira struggled to adapt to English football in his first Arsenal season but showed signs of improvement early last term. Groin surgery derailed his campaign, though, and he struggled for minutes after Christmas with just three league outings.
He has played in the majority of Porto’s league games, though they will have to settle for Europa League football next term after sitting a distant third behind Sporting and Benfica. He also featured in all but one of their European games this term, including a cameo from the bench against Manchester United.
“The idea of returning came from me,” Vieira said back in September when asked about his loan switch. “I love this club and I’m going to give everything on the pitch.”
With Ethan Nwaneri stepping up to become part of the first team picture in North London, Vieira may feel as though he’s unlikely to get too many opportunities in the Premier League next term. His Gunners contract runs until 2027, though, and a permanent sale could help free up some funds for summer investment.
Another star of the Portuguese league is on the Gunners’ radar, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres an option up front. The Swede’s 38 goals make him far and away the top scorer in the Primeira Liga, and victory for Sporting in their final game of the season will see them crowned champions.
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