Vieira signed for The Gunners from Porto for £34.26million in 2022. Since then, the midfielder has played 49 games for Arsenal in all competitions, with three goals and nine assists to show for his efforts.
He remains under contract until 2027 in north London. As things stand, there is no suggestion whether there is an option to buy included in his agreement, but Vieira will not be included in the matchday squad for Arsenal in their impending Premier League game against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
That’s a decision which has been taken to help the clubs involved push through the finer details. Arsenal and sides across Europe have until 11pm on August 30 to finalise their business this summer.
David Raya, who spent last season on loan with The Gunners, and Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori are Arsenal’s two main additions, so far, with Merino expected to follow imminently. It means they could allow Vieira to go and he will return to a place where he took his first steps as a professional.
Vieira made 76 appearances for Porto before his move to Arsenal. He scored 10 goals with 18 assists.
His departure will, in theory, free up the No.21 shirt. Vieira was not named in the matchday squad by Arsenal in the opening day win over Wolves in which Kai Havertz and England’s Bukayo Saka netted.
