Porto are plotting a move to re-sign Fabio Vieira from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Vieira left Porto to join Arsenal in a £30million deal back in 2022 but the 24-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations across a stop-start opening two years at the Emirates.
The Portuguese’s last start came in the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat to West Ham in the Carabao Cup back in November and he went on to make just six more appearances last season, with a groin injury keeping him sidelined for four months.
Recent reports indicated Mikel Arteta had been left unimpressed by Vieira’s performances in training and it appears the attacker midfielder faces an uncertain future in north London.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Porto ‘dream’ of bringing Vieira back to the club this summer in order to cover the likely departure of Francisco Conceicao, who is being linked with the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
The report adds that Vieira ‘intends to leave’ Arsenal to boost his playing time. However, Porto would – in all likelihood – have to sign their former player on loan given they are unable to meet the Gunners’ £25.5m asking price.
It’s claimed Arsenal would also have to fund part of Vieira’s salary for a loan agreement to be reached.
After rising through the academy ranks at Porto, Vieira helped his boyhood club win two Primeira Liga titles and the Portuguese cup, scoring ten goals in 76 appearances for the Dragons.
Vieira’s current contract, which he signed upon arrival in north London, runs through to the summer of 2027.
Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at the start of last season, Arteta apologised to Vieira and said it was his fault that the ex-Porto man had barely featured.
‘Fabio was excellent and it is the first minutes he’s played in the Premier League this season,’ the Arsenal head coach told reporters at the time.
‘I was really impressed with how he wanted the ball and how positive he was, the decisions that he made and the attitude that he had straight away.
‘Fabio was involved in everything we created and I am really happy with that. To see players with the ability to make and take chances with quality.
‘It is my fault that Fabio has not played more and today he gave me reasons to play him more.’
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