Arsenal sanctioned Fabio Vieira’s loan move to Hamburg on transfer deadline day last week.
The Portuguese spent the previous campaign on loan with Porto. He made 11 goal contributions in all competitions, but Porto did not consider a permanent deal for him.
After months of transfer speculation, Vieira eventually signed for newly-promoted Bundesliga side Hamburg on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
BILD now reveal that Hamburg agreed an initial loan fee of €400,000 for the 25-year-old, but that sum will be refunded if Vieira becomes a regular starter this campaign.
If Hamburg were to pursue a permanent transfer next summer, they would have to pay €20m, which would make Vieira the most expensive signing in their history.
Arsenal will certainly hope that becomes the case. If Vieira joins Hamburg on a long-term deal, the Gunners will retain a sell-on clause between 10 and 20 percent.
Vieira has the opportunity to build his career at Hamburg
The Gunners signed the Portuguese playmaker from Porto in 2022 with a glowing reputation.
He made several goal contributions at his boyhood club and was touted to provide good competition for places in the attacking midfield and right wing roles at Arsenal.
However, things did not unfold as planned. Vieira could not displace Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka. Ethan Nwaneri also jumped ahead in the pecking order last season.
With the signing of Noni Madueke and Max Dowman’s emergence, it seemed the right time for the Gunners to part ways with Vieira, but only a loan exit materialised.
Vieira has impressed with his technical qualities, such as his range of passing and movement in the final third. Still, the physicality of the Premier League has proved too much for him.
He showed signs of returning to his old self at Porto last term. If he can hit double figures in goal contributions and keep Hamburg in the Bundesliga, a permanent transfer could be sorted.
Arsenal will hope things work out for Vieira. They are expected to cut their losses, but a €20m transfer would be decent business and provide funds to reinvest into the squad next summer.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com