After losing Mohammed Kudus to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the prospect of taking advice from Arsenal fans regarding the Ghanaian’s replacement probably leaves a sour taste in West Ham United mouths.
Yet, presuming this is not some kind of social media-driven psyop designed to convince the Hammers to part with £30 million-plus, the feeling amongst many Gunners supporters is that Fabio Vieira leaving the Emirates for the London Stadium is the sort of transfer which suits all parties down to the ground.
Ben Jacobs, a man rivalling Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein this summer in the reliability stakes, reported on Monday that West Ham are considering Arsenal misfit Fabio Vieira as the transfer window enters its final month.
Now, if Graham Potter wants a physically-imposing, box-to-box midfielder, the 25-year-old Iberian is certainly not that.
Standing at 5ft 7ins and almost two-dimensional in his slimness, one suspects a cleanly-shaven, boyish Fabio Vieira could slip into the Under-16’s squad without anyone really noticing.
Jacobs does make the point, however, that West Ham United plan to add multiple midfielders to their squad before the September deadline.
Presuming that the priority remains an athletic, all-action number eight – Hammers News were informed that Club Brugge enforcer Raphael Onyedika was first-choice at the beginning of the window – then Vieira is likely to be viewed more as a number ten or a wide playmaker in Potter’s system, in addition to a more defensively-focused signing.
Arsenal fans react as West Ham United consider Fabio Vieira swoop
Fabio Vieira, who scored five goals and set up six more during a loan spell back at FC Porto last season, failed to dislodge Martin Odegaard at Arsenal but there is no shame in that.
The former Portugal Under-21 international produced a few flickering moments of genuine, elite-level talent following that £29 million move to North London in 2022. Memorably, that 25-yard left-footed scorcher against Brentford.
He maybe lacks the turn of pace to adequately step into Mohammed Kudus’ shoes. But with Lucas Paqueta still potentially on his way out – Hammers News have been informed that Manchester City remain huge fans while rumours of a return to Brazil persist – Vieira feels like a potentially well-fitting heir for another pass-picking playmaker with a scalpel of a left boot.
And, for a coach who likes to control proceedings through patient, possession football, Fabio Vieira’s string-pulling talents could offset concerns over a lack of real speed or power.
“Fabio allowed Porto to control possession, because he is an intelligent player who understands the game and its moments. Even at that young age, he already showed that awareness,” explains Jose Gomes, who came up against Vieira during his formative years at Porto.
“He was born for football. He has vision, quick thinking in reading his teammates’ and opponents’ movements, and then there’s his fabulous left foot. He can solve problems with his quality. That’s what intelligent and technically gifted players like him do.”
The feeling amongst many of an Arsenal persuasion, meanwhile, is that Fabio Vieira would benefit from a fresh start, West Ham would benefit from Fabio Vieira’s balletic creativity, and also that now would be a fitting time to cash in and reinvest.
“He would be decent at West Ham,” one Arsenal fan writes on X.
“I’ve always been a big fan. He’s got bags of potential,” another says. “His main issue now is that we have [Ethan] Nwaneri and [Max] Dowman behind Odegaard. I would say his main issues are not stamping his authority and believing in himself enough. If he did, he could be very good.”
“[West Ham] would be a great move for him
“Ooh, I actually like this for them.
“A season-long loan in the Premier League with regular minutes would be great. I still think there’s a player in there.”
Arsenal want big money as Hammers eye potential Lucas Paqueta replacement
Exactly how much Arsenal plan to demand could dictate whether or not there are any legs to West Ham’s pursuit. Vieira still has two years left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
“West Ham, come and collect your man. We’ll give you a good price for Fabio Vieira. £35 million, no loan,” one supporter writes, hoping to see a permanent solution after last summer’s temporary arrangement.
“We seriously need to upgrade our selling game. Chelsea are getting £40 million for unknown players who have virtually no game time. We need to be starting around £40 million and test the waters.”
“If a good proposal comes in, we should let him go and sign [Ebere] Eze as his replacement.
“Please for the love of God, do not loan him out again.”
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