HSV Hamburg will ask Arsenal for a discount so that they can sign Fabio Vieira on a permanent basis this summer.
That’s according to Sport BILD. The German newspaper reports that HSV are working on a ‘Vieira coup’ this summer. The belief is that their chances of getting him are good.
Vieira has been flourishing at Hamburg this season under manager Merlin Polzin. He joined the German side on loan in the summer transfer window as part of a double deal with Arsenal.
The second half of the season has been particularly fruitful, with Vieira directly involved in almost half of all Hamburg’s goals. That’s four out of nine.
HSV are increasingly convinced about the 25-year-old, they would love to keep him. And there’s an opportunity too as Vieira does not want to return to England or Arsenal. In fact, he thinks Bundesliga football suits him better.
What happens next
HSV plan to discuss his future with him in March, or at the latest, April. The big problem is the €20m purchase clause included in the loan from Arsenal. The German club have to exercise this between mid-May and mid-June at the latest.
Arsenal insisted on this clause during negotiation last year. The Gunners had initially wanted to include it as an obligation. HSV rejected it because the financial risk was too great, should Vieira not perform.
They had only 48 hours to complete the deal, though, and negotiated hard to convert it from an obligation into a clause. Now the belief is that they hold the cards.
€20m is probably beyond their means either way. But that doesn’t means the Hamburg club are without a chance. They know that Vieira and his family feel at home in Hamburg.
Arsenal reduction needed
The midfielder is impressed with Polzin and his staff, who have helped him get back to his best. He also has a very trusting relationship with those higher up in the club. Even the love the HSV fans have shown hasn’t gone unnoticed. In short, he loves life at the club.
If he were to give a strong commitment to the club, that would help in negotiations with Arsenal. HSV need Arsenal to reduce their asking price by €8-10m. They can afford a €10-12m fee for Vieira this summer.
A meeting is planned with Vieira and Gestifute, his agents. The positive is that Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta has a good relationship with the Portuguese agency. That could be helpful.
He already made concessions to HSV last summer in the initial loan deal. Now the hope is he’ll do so again, perhaps in the knowledge Vieira wants the move made permanent too.