A number of players could leave Arsenal before the transfer deadline on Monday.
Jakub Kiwior seems likely to join Porto in a deal potentially worth up to £26m – while Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Reiss Nelson in a £15m deal.
Fabio Vieira is another player with an uncertain future at Arsenal – and Mikel Arteta is unlikely to be impressed by what he saw from the Portuguese midfielder in training.
Declan Rice photographed brushing Fabio Vieira aside with ease
Jordan Davies recently revealed on the Transfers Exposed podcast that Arteta hoped Vieira would get stronger and become a force in the Premier League following his £35m move from Porto in June 2022 – which has not happened.
The respected journalist said: “It hasn’t really worked for him. Arteta thought that he would bulk up and become this big playmaker who could hack it in the Premier League.
Even as recently as Wednesday – three years into Vieira’s time at Arsenal – the man born in Santa Maria da Feira was photographed being easily brushed aside by Declan Rice, the type of powerful opponent Arteta wanted him to be able to handle.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The 25-year-old also appears to be just as skinny as he was following his move from Porto in 2022, which is a shame to see.
Vieira undoubtedly possesses strong technical skills, but it is his lack of strength and robustness which appears to have caused his Arsenal career to stagnate.
Arsenal may have to accept a loss on Fabio Vieira
Davies added on the Transfers Exposed podcast that Arsenal want their £35m back as they aim to sell the attacking midfielder, but that is unlikely.
VfB Stuttgart have told Arsenal they will only pay a maximum of £17m for Vieira, which – in our view – would still be good money for a player with only three goals in 49 appearances for the Gunners.
The Arsenal No.21 also now has even more competition for playing time following the signing of Eberechi Eze – while Arteta views Ethan Nwaneri exclusively as a No.10 this season too.
Therefore, Vieira could quickly become worth much less than £17m if he spends six months in the cold at Arsenal between now and the winter transfer window.