Arsenal stand firm in valuation of loanee as club seeks cut-price deal | OneFootball

FC Porto are keen to make Fabio Vieira’s return permanent but, as usual, face financial problems in making that happen.

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Fabio Vieira’s resurgence at FC Porto has reignited interest in a permanent move, but Arsenal are holding firm: no second loan, no cut-price deal. So says A Bola, anyway.

The Portuguese midfielder returned to the Estádio do Dragão on loan last summer, two years after his £35 million move to north London.

It was a temporary reunion arranged without a purchase option, with Porto paying a modest €890,000 fixed fee and assuming responsibility for the player’s wages.

A further €710,000 in performance-related variables was included.

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Arsenal, however, have reportedly made clear they will not entertain a second loan under the current terms. The club’s strategy this summer is to recoup funds through player sales as they look to reinforce the first team, and Fabio Vieira, despite not being in Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans, is still viewed as a valuable asset.

The Gunners intend to recover as much of their original investment as possible.

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Vieira’s time in England has been inconsistent, largely through injury. He underwent groin surgery in 2023, missing 15 games, and never came close to displacing Martin Ødegaard in Arsenal’s midfield. In total, he made 49 appearances, scoring three goals and registering nine assists.

But back at Porto, the 24-year-old has regained his rhythm. Initially used on the right, his performances improved after a tactical reshuffle by manager Martin Anselmi, who deployed Vieira in central midfield alongside Alan Varela. That switch proved pivotal.

In his last eight appearances, Vieira has scored three goals and assisted twice, more than he managed in his previous 24 games.

Porto would like to keep him but remain constrained by dint of having no money. The club’s board are said to be exploring ways to fund a permanent deal, including the possibility of negotiating a shared ownership structure which just isn’t going to happen.

Regardless, Vieira will also likely need to accept a significant pay cut to make any deal happen, as he currently ranks among the highest earners in the squad on just over £45,000-per-week.