Arsenal: Second summer deal confirmed as Hamburg plan talks for permanent Fabio Vieira transfer

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Evening Standard

·18 mai 2026

Arsenal: Second summer deal confirmed as Hamburg plan talks for permanent Fabio Vieira transfer

Attacking midfielder played a crucial role in helping Hamburg retain their Bundesliga status

Vieira joined Hamburg on transfer Deadline Day last summer as part of a double deal involving the Gunners and the newly-promoted Bundesliga side.

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While Albert Sambi Lokonga completed a permanent transfer, four years after joining Arsenal for around £15million from Anderlecht, Vieira’s agreement was for a season-long loan deal.

The Gunners had been looking for a permanent sale for Vieira, with the attacking midfielder failing to establish himself since joining for around £35m in 2022, and agreed upon an option to buy clause with HSV.

That option has not yet been triggered, though Vieira may end up making the move to Germany with further talks planned, but as things stand, he along with five other loanees including Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic will be returning to their parent clubs.

Hamburg sporting director Claus Costa said: “We would like to expressly thank all six players for their performances and their commitment to the club.

“Fabio [Vieira] and Luka certainly stand out as key players of the past season, but all the loaned players also contributed to us achieving our season goal ahead of schedule in our first year back in the Bundesliga.

“They showed great commitment to the team and the club, both on and off the pitch.

“Regarding a possible future with HSV, we will be holding talks with the various parties in the coming days.”

Transfer decision: Fabio Vieira

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Vieira finished the 2025-26 campaign as Hamburg’s leading scorer with seven goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances, while also chipping in with six assists.

The 25-year-old becomes the second Arsenal loanee to have had a transfer decision communicated in recent weeks after Porto announced the permanent signing of Jakub Kiwior for £14m.

That fee could rise to £19million, with Kiwior signing a four-year deal - which contains a £60m release clause - at the Estadio do Dragao after helping Porto claim the Primeira Liga title.