HSV Hamburg are likely to contact Arsenal in the coming weeks regarding Fabio Vieira’s loan deal at the club.
That’s according to MOPO. The German newspaper reports that HSV won’t be paying €20m to keep Vieira at the end of the season, despite agreeing to it in the summer.
Vieira joined them on loan late in the summer transfer window. He moved alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga, who made a permanent move from the Emirates.
Sport Witness have covered his time in Germany since. A report back in October had HSV thinking about turning the mover permanent, despite the big cost involved. That’s since died off and a report at the end of November saw him being labelled ‘clearly inadequate.’.
Arsenal talks planned
A report earlier this week then stated that HSV were planning talks with Arsenal over the midfielder. All indications are that Vieira won’t be at the Emirates next season.
MOPO now provide their own information. The German newspaper reports that HSV’s management hasn’t had any contact with London recently. Other matters took priority during the January transfer window.
However, they plan to contact Arsenal in the coming weeks to negotiate the contract. They simply have no interest in paying the €20m they agreed in the summer. A tally of two goals and four assists simply don’t justify the price.
But there is an acceptance that the 25-year-old has had an impact this season. They appear interested in a deal if they can persuade Arsenal to lower the €20m asking price.
€20m transfer clause explained
The key question is why they agreed to that figure in the first place. MOPO have an explanation of that as well.
According to their information, Arsenal insisted on including it. Because the deal came together late, HSV had no time for lengthy negotiations. They reasoned that it was better to have a theoretical chance of a permanent transfer than not at all, regardless of the price.
The figure worked for Arsenal as well. The Gunners wanted to secure a high price on the Portuguese midfielder, in case he impressed in Germany this season. Now they face negotiations with HSV, presumably working from €20m downwards.