Porto have agreed a deal to bring Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira back to the club on loan.
Vieira joined Arsenal from the 30-time Portuguese champions in July 2022 for a fee of around €40million (£34.26m) and is under contract until 2027.
The Portugal youth international made 22 Premier League appearances during his debut season but has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular.
With Mikel Merino arriving from Real Sociedad and Hale End graduate Ethan Nwaneri emerging, Vieira’s opportunities would be limited at the Emirates Stadium — and a temporary switch should ensure consistent game time.
The 24-year-old will not be part of Mikel Arteta’s squad for a visit to Aston Villa on Saturday as Porto work to finalise the switch.
Vieira featured in 15 matches across all competitions for Arsenal in the 2023-24 campaign, scoring once and adding three assists.
Despite returning from groin surgery in February, he managed only 57 top-flight minutes and was an unused substitute in 14 of Arsenal’s last 17 fixtures as they came second to Manchester City.
The last time Vieira started for Arsenal was in the Carabao Cup last November.
He figured during Arsenal’s pre-season schedule but was not involved in their opening-weekend victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Vieira began his playing career at Porto, having progressed through their academy. His senior bow arrived in 2020 and Vieira went on to record 10 goals and 18 assists in 76 games.
He has represented Portugal from under-18 to under-21 level but is yet to earn a senior cap.
(Warren Little/Getty Images)
