Arsenal agree to send Vieira on loan, no fee but wages covered | OneFootball

Arsenal have had an impressive start to the Premier League season with 2-0 victories against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa.

Riccardo Calafiori made his Gunners debut against Villa. The Italian defender remains the club’s only outfield signing of the summer.

The Gunners are currently close to confirming the arrival of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, and this is expected to coincide with a departure.

According to today’s edition of O Jogo, Fabio Vieira is set to rejoin Porto on loan without a buy option.

The Primeira Liga giants won’t be paying a fee for the temporary move, but they have agreed to cover his £45,000 per week salary until the end of June.

Arsenal have made the right decision with Vieira

The 24-year-old was a surprise signing for the Gunners from Porto two years ago. He joined the club with a promising record but has failed to prove his credentials.

The Portuguese has struggled to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, while injuries have also hampered his chances of competing for a regular role.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta described him as an ‘enormous talent‘ after his impressive cameo against Fulham last term, but he barely played after the turn of the year.

His poor performances in training were reportedly a reason behind Arteta’s reluctance to play him.

Arsenal have made the right decision to send him back to Porto where he was sensational during his breakthrough campaign in 2021/22 – 23 goal contributions in 2,000 minutes.

If he can recapture his form and confidence, the Gunners stand a good chance of recouping the £30 million paid to sign him during next summer’s transfer window.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.