Arsenal are looking to offload Fábio Vieira permanently this summer, after two loan spells.
Mikel Arteta didn’t utilise the 26-year-old regularly since he arrived at the Emirates from FC Porto in June 2022.
Arsenal first sent him to Porto in August 2024 before sanctioning another loan move to Hamburg SV in September 2025.
The Bundesliga side had agreed to a purchase option but hadn’t exercised it. Their new sporting director, Kathleen Krüger, insists they need to find creative solutions to buy the attacking midfielder.
“Fabio is an outstanding player. Technically incredibly skilful. He brings unpredictability to the game, scores reliably and is a gamechanger. I’d love it if he could wear the HSV shirt again next season. At the same time, we have to be realistic. Players of this calibre are in a price bracket that HSV simply cannot afford,” he said.
Big gap between Arsenal and HSV
Saturday’s edition of Hamburger Abendblatt explains why a quick deal isn’t on cards for Hamburg SV.
There’s been hardly any discussions between the two clubs for the Portuguese because of the current deadlock.
Fábio Vieira isn’t part of Mikel Arteta’s core plans next season, and the north London club are looking to get rid of him. The Premier League winners are convinced a club will meet their demand of €20m plus bonuses.
This doesn’t suit the German club, who want to pay less than €10m. For now, the Gunners have no intention of selling him for a ‘high single-digit million’, meaning just below €10m.
Hamburg are hoping the English champions don’t receive the desired fee until end of August, to sign Vieira for a reduced price.
There’s optimism Arsenal would lower their request, if there aren’t concrete developments towards the end of the window.
Tough stance can backfire
Both Arsenal and Hamburg SV are standing firm with their respective positions, and it can backfire for one. The latter risk missing out on the desired player.
If the Gunners refuse to sell him below €20m, then there’s a risk of losing the player for free next year. Their position could change/soften if there are no interested parties willing to meet their request.
Fábio Vieira’s contract expires in 2027, and Transfermarkt value him at €18m. This is also a factor that could push his suitors to sign him for a lower price.