Arsenal huddle
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Arsenal face challenges in offloading two out-of-favour midfielders this summer, with both Fábio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga set to return to the club following unconvincing loan spells.
According to Portuguese outletO Jogo, FC Porto have decided against signing Vieira permanently after the 25-year-old’s mixed performances during a season-long loan. The Portuguese midfielder, who rejoined his former club last summer, made 42 appearances and scored five goals, but failed to convince Porto’s hierarchy to pursue a permanent deal. The report adds that Vieira’s wages, agreed upon during his £30 million move from Porto to Arsenal in 2022, are well beyond the club’s budget, regardless of his willingness to take a pay cut.
Vieira, featured for Porto at the Club World Cup in the United States, declined to address his long-term future. “This is not the ideal time to talk about these matters,” he said. “Now I am representing FC Porto and I am 100 per cent focused on this competition, with my teammates. That is what matters to me, the rest will soon be seen.”
Arsenal - Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Having fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, Vieira’s future at Arsenal appears bleak, and the Gunners are expected to listen to offers for the Portuguese midfielder this summer.
Similarly, Albert Sambi Lokonga is also set to return to north London following a loan spell at Sevilla. The Belgian international made 23 appearances in an injury-hit campaign in Spain and now enters the final year of his Arsenal contract. Lokonga, who joined from Anderlecht in 2021 for around £17 million, has also spent time on loan at Crystal Palace and Luton Town, but has yet to establish himself in Arsenal’s plans.
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With limited transfer interest and time running out on his contract, Lokonga is expected to be available at a reduced fee.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal’s transfer activity remains relatively quiet, with no new arrivals officially confirmed. The club have, however, secured contract extensions for Gabriel Magalhães and academy talent Myles Lewis-Skelly. Departures have been more prominent so far, with Jorginho joining Flamengo, Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic after his contract expired, and Thomas Partey also set to leave as a free agent.
Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard is expected to arrive soon, while Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is close to completing his move to the Emirates. Talks also continue over a potential deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres, who remains Arsenal’s top attacking target.
However, the return of Vieira and Lokonga adds to Arsenal’s squad management concerns as they look to streamline the team and generate funds for further summer reinforcements.
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