Arsenal surprise signing has been already confirmed

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Arsenal are poised to make a surprise signing – and it's already been confirmed by one side

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the Emirates Stadium tunnel ahead of Arsenal vs Everton
(Image credit: Getty)

Arsenal have already tied up their surprise next move in the transfer market.

Last week, out of nowhere, rumours of the Gunners pouncing for Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira sprung out of nowhere. Youri Tielemans has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium – so the news of Vieira's arrival was not unexpected but completely out of the blue, with no prior whispers.

The 22-year-old has played as a No.10 for the Portuguese side, however, it's believed that he is the answer to Arsenal's conundrum at No.8, with Granit Xhaka unsuited to playing in such a roving role.

Fabio Vieira of FC Porto celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between FC Porto and SL Benfica at Estadio Do Dragao on December 30, 2021 in Porto, Portugal.

(Image credit: Getty)

Somewhat surprisingly, Porto have already confirmed the exit – before Arsenal have had the chance to announce him as their player.

In a statement, the two-time European champions affirmed that the midfielder will be exiting the club this summer – and that the north Londoners will pay around £34m for his services.

"The club informs the market that it has reached an agreement with Arsenal FC for the signing, on a permanent basis, of Fabio Vieira for the amount of €40 million," read a Porto statement.

Fabio Vieira of Portugal celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Semi-finals match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Ljudski vrt on June 03, 2021 in Maribor, Slovenia.

(Image credit: Getty)

Vieira was apparently wanted by Liverpool, according to the Express, before the Gunners made the quick move to sign him ahead of the Reds.

The Portuguese is valued at around £22m by Transfermarkt. 

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Arsenal are busy in the transfer market already – and have reportedly already tied up their first deal of the window according to reports. 

The search for a striker is ongoing. Gabriel Jesus is still a huge rumour, with the Gunners set to offer him a huge pay rise – though there may yet be stumbling blocks. Gianluca Scamacca remains the Plan B for Arsenal, though both Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Juventus star Alvaro Morata have been touted. 

In midfield, Carney Chukuemeka of Aston Villa, long-term target Houssem Aouar, Serie A star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Leicester City schemer Youri Tielemans are on the radar. The north Londoners apparently remain confident of convincing Bukayo Saka to stay, too. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.