Hamburg SV have been working on bringing Arsenal‘s Fábio Vieira back, after signing him on loan last summer.
The 26-year-old has returned to the Emirates because the Bundesliga side didn’t exercise their €22m purchase clause.
His contract with Arsenal expires in 2027, and Transfermarkt value him at €18m. On July 22nd, Hamburg chief financial officer Eric Huwer said HSV have made an offer to the Gunners.
Huwer explained: “We’re naturally very curious to see whether he and Arsenal will accept it. We fell a little bit in love with Fábio last year, but we’re not going to be unreasonable. If Arsenal says yes, we’ll be happy to have Fábio; if they say no, we’ll be happy to have someone else.”
Bild on Arsenal agreement claims
The latest rumours have talked about an agreement between the two clubs for the former FC Porto man.
Monday’s edition of Bild dismisses these claims and labels them as ‘fake news’. There’s no agreement in place, as the two clubs are still far apart.
Hamburg plan to sign the attacking midfielder for around €8-9m. Mikel Arteta’s side, on the other hand, have indicated they’ll lower the price from €22m [purchase clause] to €18m.
In short, the Premier League winners want €10m more than what the German club intend to offer.
No quick exit for Arsenal man
Fábio Vieira was out on loan for the last two years and is unlikely to be part of Mikel Arteta’s core plans next season.
With a contract expiring in 2027, both parties are looking to part ways permanently this summer. There could be clarity over the player’s future towards the end of the window.
His return to the German club depends on whether he will receive a convincing offer from elsewhere in the coming weeks.
If not, it could allow Hamburg to sign the Gunners man for a lower price.
Bild states: ‘One thing is clear: HSV’s management wants to finalise the Vieira deal. However, it’s equally clear that there’s still a long way to go. The transfer will only go through if Arsenal offers another 50% discount.’
Key transfer points
Hamburg want player back, ready to offer €8-9m
Arsenal requesting €18m
German club ready to wait until end of window
No other offers could force Gunners to compromise
Sportwitness
Football transfer news from the across the world.