Arsenal midfielder poised for fresh start in Serie A under familiar mentor

Parma head coach Carlos Cuesta is looking to reunite with Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira this summer, with the Portuguese midfielder among his top transfer priorities.

Cuesta, who left Arsenal last month to become the second-youngest manager in Serie A history, is said to be pushing for a deal that would bring Vieira to Italy permanently.

The pair worked together at Arsenal between 2022 and 2025, and the 25-year-old is now viewed as an ideal fit for Cuesta’s system at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Vieira spent last season on loan at Porto, making 42 appearances and scoring five goals with six assists, but the Portuguese giants have opted not to pursue a permanent deal for the former youth international.

With no clear path to first-team football at Arsenal, and the club open to offers, Vieira is expected to move on before the end of the window.

Reports in Italy suggest Arsenal would be willing to sell for around €20 million, with a sell-on clause likely to be included in any final agreement.

The Gunners paid Porto €35 million to sign Vieira in 2022, but the midfielder has struggled to make a lasting impression in North London.

Martin Odegaard remains Mikel Arteta’s first-choice playmaker, while Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are both seen as long-term midfield options.

Arsenal are also pursuing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze this summer, which would further push Vieira down the pecking order.

For Cuesta, the creative midfielder could offer something his current Parma squad lacks—a natural number ten who can link midfield and attack.

It is unclear whether Cuesta will mirror Arteta’s 4-3-3 system in Italy, but Vieira’s versatility in central and advanced midfield roles makes him a useful tactical option.

While a loan deal is on the table, Arsenal would prefer a permanent move to help recoup some of their original outlay.

The clubs remain in contact, with talks expected to intensify in the coming weeks as Parma look to make their first signing under Cuesta.

The move would mark Cuesta’s first major transfer decision since leaving the Emirates and could also benefit Arsenal, who are keen to balance the books after several key signings.

Should the deal go through, it would represent a fresh start for Vieira and a small favour repaid by Cuesta to his former employers.

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