Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Fabio Vieira transfer latest: Row breaks out at Porto over big-money sale as Jack Wilshere rates imminent Edu signing

Fabio Vieira, Porto winger, during Primiera Liga match against Sporting Clube de Portugal, at Estadio do Dragão

Anger has broken out at FC Porto amid claims the club has gone back on their word over the decision to let Arsenal secure the Fabio Vieira transfer.

Mikel Arteta’s side fell agonisingly short in the race for the Champions League last season, finishing two points behind Tottenham. The Gunners, though, will hopefully use that as an incentive to push on in 2022/23 – but need some squad additions first.

Indeed, the Gunners are actively chasing a new striker to light up their attack. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette departing at different times this year, a new No 9 is needed to lead Arteta’s young side.

A number of names have been linked, with offers for Gianluca Scamacca and more recently, Victor Osimhen, falling short.

And while Eddie Nketiah has reportedly agreed a new deal – an announcement is due soon – they still want another striker. The most likely candidate appears to be Gabriel Jesus – if Arsenal can get the terms of the deal right.

Before that, however, Arsenal are strengthening their forward line with a big-money deal for Vieira.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an excellent season with Porto, scoring seven times and adding 16 assists.

The Gunners have struck a deal with Porto that will see the player move to Emirates Stadium in a £34.1m deal. That is some distance short of the £42.6m (€50m) exit clause that exists in his deal.

And the fact that Porto have sanctioned his sale for less than the release clause has not gone down well in Portugal.

Former presential candidate tears into Porto chief

Indeed, former FC Porto presidential candidate Jose Fernando Rio believes the club have made a big mistake. Furthermore, he has hit out at current president Pinto da Costa for not sticking to his word at only selling players for their release clause.

“The financial administrator had already announced the need to realise between €70-100m in capital gains this year. As such, I was already waiting for the bleeding to start,” he told Portuguese outlet Record.

“Obviously, we have to discount the intermediation costs. At Porto, we never know they are high or low, but normally they are quite high.

“President Pinto da Costa has been filling his mouth with numbers, saying that Porto has a situation that allows players to be negotiated only through the release clause, and we see that this is not true.”

Fernando Rio also believes the impact of his sale may have a direct bearing on coach Sergio Conceicao’s future.

“I imagine that Sergio Conceicao is very angry at this point.

“He also made public that now Porto is outside UEFA’s remit, they could invest more in the team’s competitiveness; they are starting to see the main players leave. This may have some bearing on his desire to stay or leave the club.”

Jack Wilshere happy with Fabio Vieira transfer

By all accounts, Arsenal appear to be getting themselves a bargain with Vieira.

His signing is likely to be confirmed in the coming days, and on a contract to 2027.

His capture is one that certainly looks good on paper. And former Gunners favourite Jack Wilshere is also impressed by the latest Edu recruit.

Asked about the imminent capture of Vieira, Wilshere told talkSPORT: “I will be honest, I haven’t heard too much about him but I looked him up on YouTube when I saw the news break.

Arsenal agree deal for Fábio Vieira

Arsenal agree deal for Fábio Vieira

Arsenal have struck a deal for Porto midfielder Fábio Vieira.

“He looks good. Everyone looks good on YouTube but he looks like he has got a bit about him. Six goals and 14 assists from midfield. That’s impressive.

“We all knew that Arsenal had to make some signings because they are in Europe. They need to get a bigger squad, so they are making moves, which is nice.”

Vieira will become Arsenal’s third summer signing after Matt Turner and Brazilian forward Marquinhos.

Youri Tielemans, meanwhile, has been left with a decision to make on his future after Arsenal pulled the plug on his signing.