Arsenal ‘set Fabio Vieira obligation fee’ as Stuttgart loan talks continue
Arsenal have seemingly set their demands for midfielder Fabio Vieira as Stuttgart continue to discuss a loan move.
Arsenal’s summer business has seen them bring in two midfielders, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard from Real Sociedad and Brentford respectively, meaning competition for midfield places is intense at the Emirates Stadium this season.
Mikel Arteta opted for the trio of Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in his side’s opening weekend victory away at Manchester United, and will likely be his first-choice midfield this campaign.
Behind those three, Mikel Merino and Norgaard will likely be next in line for the most minutes, as holding midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga also fight for a place having returned from a loan spell at Sevilla.
As a result, Vieira sees himself on the outside looking in and German clubBundesliga outfit Stuttgart are in pursuit of the Portuguese midfielder, with Arsenal now setting out their demands if a deal is to go through.
Bundesliga move on the radar for Vieira
Vieira would be an integral player for the German side, after Sebastian Hoeness’ squad lost promising young talent Enzo Millot to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli over the summer.
The Athletic’s James McNicholas revealed (19 August) that “talks are centered on a loan with an obligation if certain performance-led targets are met. A figure of £17m has been discussed.”
Stuttgart may be wary to agree to that fee after a summer of business that has seen them €4m in profit, but as the side push to renew their Champions League status they may be persuaded.
McNicholas also acknowledged that Arsenal are in need of trimming their squad and admitted buying clubs may hold out in the hope of the Gunners lowering their price for their assets.
Arsenal’s squad has the depth to compete, but does it have the quality?
Football Insider verdict
Last season, Arteta may have had qualms with the players he was able to bring into his side as they endured an injury hampered, but this season the squad’s depth can’t be questioned.
On Sunday, the Spaniard was able to turn to Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Mikel Merino off the bench.
Unused on the bench were Cristhian Mosquera, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, showcasing Arteta’s range of options to alter his side depending on the state of the game.
However, compared to his title rivals, it doesn’t feel like Arteta has the quality to bring on that can truly change a game.
| Liverpool | Manchester City | Arsenal |
| Federico Chiesa | Manuel Akanji | Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) |
| Harvey Elliott | Nathan Ake | Kai Havertz |
| Wataru Endo | Rayan Cherki | Myles Lewis-Skelly |
| Joe Gomez | Ilkay Gundogan | Noni Madueke |
| Curtis Jones | Abdukodir Khusanov | Mikel Merino |
| Giorgi Mamardashvili (GK) | Omar Marmoush | Cristhian Mosquera |
| Rio Ngumoha | Matheus Nunes | Ethan Nwaneri |
| Trey Nyoni | Nico O’Reilly | Jurrien Timber |
| Andrew Robertson | Stefan Ortega (GK) | Leandro Trossard |
On Saturday evening, Pep Guardiola was able to turn to Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush in Man City’s 4-0 win over Wolves, while Arne Slot introduced Federico Chiesa, who scored the go-ahead goal in Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over Bournemouth.
An additional concern is the performance of Viktor Gyokeres, who did not appear fully up to speed on his Premier League deubt.
Arteta enters a make-or-break campaign at Arsenal, and he’ll be hoping his new forward can fire, as the goals off of the bench look light, especially with Trossard being subject to a potential move away from the Emirates in the coming weeks.