Arsenal forgotten man has £17.5m exit ‘agreement’ in place
Fabio Vieira is expected to leave Arsenal this summer amid a positive spell in the Bundesliga with Hamburg SV.
Hamburg signed Vieira in the summer, along with fellow Gunners outcast Albert Sambi Lokonga, who joined on a permanent agreement.
Both players have been in fine form this season, but question marks still remain over the future of the Portuguese midfielder when he returns to the Emirates Stadium.
West Ham were reportedly interested in Vieira in the summer, and Premier League clubs could pay closer attention if he continues to thrive.
Reiss Nelson is on loan at Brentford and is another Arsenal player set for exit talks in the summer transfer window.
Hamburg plan Fabio Vieira talks
Vieira has looked a player reborn at Hamburg this season. The midfielder struggled for game time following his loan return to Porto last season, but he has found a new home in the Bundesliga.
The 25-year-old has two goals and four assists in just 15 league appearances, and has become a crucial cog in Merlin Polzin’s attack.
The six-time German champions finally made their return to the top flight in May, and are well on course to stay up.
| Fabio Vieira | Bundesliga 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 15 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Chances created | 22 |
| Successful dribbles | 13 |
| Fouls won | 19 |
Vieira has been a key part of that, with the former Portugal youth international grabbing an assist as Hamburg beat Heidenheim on Saturday, and scoring a penalty in a draw with Bayern Munich at the end of January.
When Arsenal sanctioned the midfielder’s loan, they did so while including an option to buy reportedly worth around £17.5million.
According to Bild, however, Vieira would need to go ‘through the roof’ in the next three months for that option to be activated.
Instead, Hamburg are expecting to hold talks with the Gunners in April or May, with a decision still yet to be made on the 24-year-old’s future.
What went wrong for Vieira at Arsenal?
When Arsenal spent £35m to sign Vieira in 2022, he arrived off the back of a hugely successful breakthrough season in Portugal.
The talented midfielder had scored seven goals and provided 16 assists in 39 games across all competitions, and, considering the Gunners’ successful recruitment in the previous summer, arrived with huge expectations.
But a fairly disappointing first season, and an injury-hit second, saw Vieira all but out of the squad for the 2024-25 campaign, with Arsenal seeking a conclusion to his time in North London.
The 24-year-old’s technical ability has never been an issue, but he has never appeared to possess the physical attributes to compete in the Premier League.