Marseille are weighing up a potential loan bid for Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira ahead of the January transfer window, according to La Tribune Olympienne (via TEAMtalk).
The Gunners have yet to decide on the Portuguese international’s future, although it is pretty telling that the club have yet to completely rule out the idea, despite lacking options in the middle of the park at the moment.
When asked whether Vieira should be loaned out, the majority of fans on X were very much opposed to the idea:
No, loaning him in January will be a big mistake.
— 🔴The Arsenal Way⚪ (@atsufoster) November 20, 2023
Nope I don’t think so, Arteta just have to believe him more than Kai
— molehns (@MusaAyinde8) November 20, 2023
No he must stay
— Tsoli 🦥 (@Tsoli07) November 21, 2023
Hell no!! Juts give him more play time lol
I myself disliked him last season. But he has stepped it up a lot this season 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼— Manny Ramirez (@mannyramz12) November 20, 2023
Nope, he can develop here. What I’ve seen from him is great. He has a place in the squad and he will help the team push forward. He’s provided some good moments for the gunners. If Odegaard gets injured it is him who fills the boots.
— AFCRambo (@AFCRams) November 20, 2023
He is the only creative player left in our midfield, the team is already thin 😳🤔
— El hebreo (@Elhebreo5) November 20, 2023
Vieira has struggled to nail down a place in Arsenal’s starting eleven
Much was expected of the 23-year-old when he first arrived from Porto for £34m in the summer of 2022, but he failed to make a big impression during his first season at the Emirates.
Vieira started just three times in the Premier League, ending the campaign with 2 goals and 6 assists in all competitions. Things have improved slightly in his second year with the Gunners, but he has still only started three matches since August.
The fact that he played the full 90 minutes for the Under 21s in the EFL Trophy last week to maintain his fitness sums up the midfielder’s lack of game time.
Arsenal could be targeting a replacement
While the Gunners’ interest in Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz has been linked to Thomas Partey’s potential departure, it could equally be related to Vieira.
Luiz is arguably closer in style to Vieira than Partey, having scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists for Villa already this season.
Watch the Chris Wheatley Show on Shots!TV here as Chris reveals Arsenal’s mystery midfield target
