It’s no secret that Graham Potter is desperate to get bodies into midfield before the summer transfer window shuts.
The Hammers have chased a number of targets in recent weeks – from Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes to Bayer Leverkusen’s Aleix García – but with Edson Álvarez now seemingly heading off to Turkey and that opening day embarrassment at Sunderland still stinging, the need for reinforcements has never been more obvious.
Replacing Declan Rice outright has always been a pipe dream, but ironically, West Ham might now be in line to swoop for one of Rice’s Arsenal teammates instead.
West Ham In Discussions for Vieira
Fabio Vieira is now back with Porto. (REUTERS/Pedro Nunes)
Fabio Vieira. (REUTERS/Pedro Nunes)
According to a fresh report from Football Insider, West Ham are among the clubs in discussions over a possible move for Arsenal midfielder Fábio Vieira.
Mick Brown – the former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout who remains well connected in the game – told Football Insider that the 25-year-old’s representatives have already been in touch with the Hammers.
“Arsenal have been looking to sell Fabio Vieira,” Brown explained. “He doesn’t have a part to play under Mikel Arteta, so they want to cash in.”
“His agent has been in contact with a number of clubs to find him that move, and I believe West Ham are one they’ve spoken to,” he added. “Graham Potter wants to sign a new midfielder, so I have no doubt he’s a name on their list.”
Brown did temper expectations, though, making it clear that Vieira, who spent last season on loan with boyhood club Porto, is not at the very top of West Ham’s shortlist. Their No.1 priority remains Southampton’s Fernandes – even if a £30 million bid has already been knocked back.
“I think there are other names and different types of player who they would prefer to bring in,” Brown said. “Personally I think they’d prefer more of an all-action, box-to-box midfielder who can contribute at both ends of the pitch, not just going forward.”
Still, with the deadline now looming and Southampton refusing to budge on Fernandes, Vieira could represent a late-window fallback option.
“Intelligent” (according to former Maritimo head coach José Gomes) on the ball and capable of unlocking a defence, the Arsenal man may not be the powerhouse Potter wants – but at this stage, it could be a case of needs must.