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Analysis
- 44 minutes ago
€35m star agrees contract ahead of spectacular Arsenal transfer
Tom Weber
- 16 Mar 2026 16:02 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Forgotten Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira has agreed a long-term contract with loan club Hamburger SV, but one major issue still needs to be ironed out before his move can be made permanent.
The Portugal international, a €35 million signing in 2022, does not have a future at Arsenal. Vieira failed to nail down a regular starting spot at the Emirates and is set to leave the club for good this summer.
He was loaned to promoted Bundesliga side HSV last year in what was seen as a massive coup for the club, particularly in conjunction with their bargain signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga from the Gunners. However, fans were bemused at the purchase option that was included in the deal.
Current ETV
Fábio Vieira
M (CR)
Hamburg
Fábio Vieira
M (CR)
Hamburg
ETV Range
€14.6M - €17.9M
HSV agreed to a €20m clause that they could not pay in their wildest dreams. Accordingly, they have been in talks with Arsenal to renegotiate the fee as they want to keep Vieira. It is understood that the 25-year-old is keen to stay.
Indeed, BILD reports that Vieira has already agreed a new long-term contract with Hamburg in anticipation of his move being made permanent. However, it remains to be seen if Arsenal are willing to play along.
Arsenal to make big loss on Vieira
The German tabloid claims that HSV's budget for Vieira does not exceed the €10m mark. Convincing Arsenal to sell could therefore prove tricky. There are certainly other clubs out there who would be willing to pay more for the Portuguese.
A second loan is out of the question. Vieira's contract expires in 2027, so Arsenal will look to cash in on him this summer. If they agree to sell to HSV, they will have to accept a significant financial loss of over €25m on the midfielder.
A lot will also depend on what happens in the final weeks of the season. HSV have been a wonderful addition to the Bundesliga following their seven-year absence, but they are not yet mathematically safe. Obviously, if they were to get relegated, they would not be able to sign Vieira.
However, with a six-point cushion on the relegation playoff spot and nine points separating them from the automatic drop zone, it would require a monumental collapse for HSV to get sucked into a genuine relegation battle.
Vieira endured a difficult start to life in Germany, but he has been massive for HSV in recent months. He has scored three goals in his last five games, including a brilliant chip in a 1-1 draw with Koln at the weekend.
Understandably, they are desperate to reach an agreement with Arsenal to keep the 25-year-old around beyond this season.
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