Arsenal "preparing" to part ways with £34.2m star since January - Sami Mokbel
Arsenal are preparing to part ways with midfielder Fabio Vieira following his season-long loan spell with Porto, according to journalist Sami Mokbel.
The 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Porto in a surprise £34.2 million deal three years ago, but he has failed to prove his credentials at the club.
Vieira has struggled to adapt to the extra physicality of the Premier League. He has also sustained untimely injuries, which have hampered his development.
The Portuguese returned to Porto on loan last summer, where he had a reasonably good campaign.
Speaking on the Latte Firm podcast, Mokbel has now revealed that Arsenal have been ‘preparing’ for Vieira’s exit since January, and that has not changed.
He said: “Arsenal have been preparing the way for Fabio Vieira to leave since January, from what I understand. In their pre-planning for the summer window, his name was on the list of players they would look to sell & I don’t think that’s changed.”
Mokbel added that Arsenal are not ruling out the prospect of selling Leandro Trossard, but the club are also discussing a pay rise. The Belgian could yet stay beyond the summer transfer window.
Arsenal look poised to offload Vieira
Vieira’s transfer came out of the blue in the summer of 2022. He arrived with a big reputation from Porto, where he averaged a goal contribution in every game.
However, he has failed to replicate such level of performances. He has registered only three goals and 10 assists from 49 appearances for the club in all competitions.
His best showing came against Fulham in 2023 with a goal and an assist coming off the bench. The Portuguese nearly scored a fabulous stoppage-time winner.
Such displays have been scattered during his Arsenal career. The Athletic reported last year that his performances in training have dropped him down the pecking order.
With two years left on his contract, it appears the right time for the club to cut their losses. Vieira managed 11 goal contributions during his loan stint at Porto last term.
He had an upturn in form during the latter part of last season. Sporting director Andrea Berta will be aiming to secure a decent fee. Parma are one of the clubs interested.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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