German club Stuttgart are reluctant to pay more than £17 million to sign Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira, according to journalist Jordan Davies.
The Gunners have had a productive transfer window with six signings thus far.
They are still keen on landing a left-sided winger, but that could depend on whether they can recoup sufficient funds from player sales.
Vieira is one of those expected to leave, but Arsenal’s £25m asking price has been deemed too much for one of his main admirers.
Stuttgart have told Arsenal that they won’t pay more than £17m including add-ons, and are prepared to walk away if a deal can’t be agreed.
Arsenal should lower asking price for Vieira
The 25-year-old has fallen out of favour under manager Mikel Arteta, having failed to adapt to the higher intensity and physicality of the Premier League.
Vieira spent last season on loan with Porto, where he contributed five goals and six assists. However, the Primeira Liga side opted against a permanent deal.
Stuttgart have now come forward with a genuine interest, but appear reluctant to meet Arsenal’s current £25m valuation for the Portuguese playmaker.
In our view, the Gunners may need to lower their demands. They could persuade Stuttgart into paying a slightly higher fee of around £20m for Vieira.
With under two years left on the midfielder’s contract, it makes sense for the Gunners to offload him at the earliest possibility to recoup transfer funds.
Alongside Vieira, the likes of Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Jakub Kiwior could head for the exit door.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com