Transfer Centre

Arsenal transfer roundup: Fabio Vieira deal close, Atalanta want Nuno Tavares

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 17 June 2022

Sports Mole rounds up the latest Arsenal transfer news, as the Gunners close in on the signing of Portuguese starlet Fabio Vieira from Porto.

Arsenal's only acquisition of the summer transfer window so far has been 19-year-old Brazilian attacker Marquinhos from Sao Paulo, but plenty of new faces could still walk through the door in the coming weeks.

With defensive, midfield and attacking conundrums to solve, the Gunners could be fielding something of a new-look squad as they prepare to return to the Europa League in 2022-23.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest Arsenal transfer news, including updates on Fabio Vieira, Marco Asensio and Nuno Tavares.

Gunners closing in on Vieira signing

Fabio Vieira celebrates scoring for Porto in February 2022 © Reuters

News of Arsenal's pursuit of Fabio Vieira came out of nowhere, with the Gunners now seemingly set to beat Liverpool and Manchester United to the Porto man's signature.

The 22-year-old contributed six goals and 14 assists in 27 Primeira Liga matches last term and demonstrated his versatility by playing out wide, in the number eight or number 10 positions and as a second striker on occasion.

According to The Express, Arsenal could be ready to announce the signing of Vieira later on Friday after agreeing an initial fee of €35m (£29.9m) with the Portuguese champions.

Vieira is reportedly set to sign a five-year deal in North London and has already flown to the UK in order to undergo his medical tests, although official confirmation of his signing is more likely to come over the weekend.

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Marco Asensio blow

Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio pictured on September 22, 2021 © Reuters

With Rodrygo and even Federico Valverde preferred out wide by Carlo Ancelotti on some occasions in the 2021-22 season, Marco Asensio's time at Real Madrid was seemingly coming to an end.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the Bernabeu in 12 months' time and was believed to have attracted the attention of both Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

However, Marca claims that Asensio's priority is to remain with Real Madrid, and he is keen to enter contract discussions with the La Liga and Champions League holders.

Should an agreement over a new deal not be reached, Real will still seek to offload £34m-rated Asensio this summer in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.

Asensio scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 42 appearances for Los Blancos last term, although he only started 19 matches in La Liga.

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Atalanta BC want Nuno Tavares?

Nuno Tavares warms up for Arsenal in April 2022 © Reuters

Nuno Tavares's first season at Arsenal can truly be described as hit and miss, with the Portuguese youngster demonstrating attacking potential while producing a number of dodgy defensive showings.

The left-back was hauled off early on more than one occasion last term while deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney, and Arsenal are thought to be considering a loan spell away for the 22-year-old.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Atalanta hold an interest in signing Tavares, but the Gunners will drive a hard bargain if the Italian giants want a permanent deal for the defender.

The report adds that Arsenal will demand €40m (£34.3m) to let Tavares leave permanently, otherwise Atalanta will be forced to accept a loan with no option or obligation to buy.

Tavares registered one goal and two assists in 28 appearances for Arsenal last term and is under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2025 with the option of a further year.