Arsenal are prepared to sanction the sale of Fabio Vieira this summer, with a £20m valuation placed on the Portuguese midfielder. Despite the likely £10m loss compared to the £30m they paid Porto in 2022, the Gunners are willing to cash in to make space in the squad.
Vieira’s time at Arsenal has been frustrating, marked by flashes of technical brilliance but ultimately inconsistent form and fitness. Mikel Arteta gave him plenty of opportunities in the early stages of his first season, but the 24-year-old has struggled to assert himself in the Premier League and now finds himself on the fringes of the first-team setup.
The player is understood to be open to a move, and interest is growing quickly across Europe. According to reports in Portugal and Italy, Parma are currently leading the race to sign him. That link is not surprising, given that former Arsenal assistant Carlos Cuesta is now managing the newly promoted Serie A side and is keen on building a young, technical squad around players he knows well.
Arsenal willing to take a hit on Fabio Vieira sale
Arsenal know they are unlikely to recoup the full £30m they spent on Vieira, but the club hopes to secure a deal worth £20m including add-ons. The money raised could help fund final summer targets, with attacking depth and midfield reinforcement still on the table. It would also free up wages and squad space for players like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly to make the step up.
Parma’s early lead in the race could turn into something more concrete in the coming days, with talks expected to accelerate once pre-season training ramps up. Several other clubs in Italy and Spain have also shown interest, but the Cuesta connection gives the Italians a clear advantage.
Author Opinion
Fabio Vieira’s departure may not move headlines like other big names, but it would mark another sign of Arsenal’s ruthless shift toward efficiency in the transfer market. Arteta and Berta are now prioritising profile fit and long-term performance over sentiment, and Vieira simply hasn’t delivered enough. A move to Parma could give him the reset he needs while helping Arsenal keep their summer rebuild on track.
