Fabio Vieira will return to Arsenal after an underwhelming loan spell at Porto has not convinced the Portuguese side to pursue a permanent deal.
The 25-year-old signed for the Gunners from Porto in the summer of 2022 for an initial £30m, signing a contract until 2027.
He featured pretty regularly in his first season, although often from the bench, making 33 appearances in all competitions and scoring two goals.
The 2023-24 campaign was less productive for him, with the attacking midfielder scoring once in just 16 outings.
He spent last season on loan back at this former club and played 42 times in all competitions, scoring five goals.
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However, Portuguese outlet O Jogo report that Porto were not sufficiently impressed by his performances to want him to stay with the club beyond this summer.
Vieira’s wages at Arsenal would be out of Porto’s reach anyway, but even if he was willing to accept a pay-cut, he is not of interest to the Primeira Liga giants.
Vieira has been playing with Porto at the Club World Cup in America this summer and was asked about his future beyond the tournament.
‘This is not the ideal time to talk about these matters,’ he said. ‘Now I am representing FC Porto and I am 100 per cent focused on this competition, with my teammates. That is what matters to me, the rest will soon be seen.’
A future in the Arsenal first team seems very unlikely and the Gunners will be willing to listen to offers for the Portuguese.
Also heading back to the Emirates after a loan spell is Albert Sambi Lokonga, who has been at Sevilla for the last season.
The Belgium international made 23 appearances in a campaign that was hit by injury.
That loan spell came after stints at Crystal Palace and Luton Town, so he too appears to have no future with Arsenal.
The 25-year-old has just one year left on his contract with the Gunners so will likely be available at a low price this summer, having originally signed for Arsenal from Anderlecht in 2021 for around £17m.
It has been a quiet summer so far for the Gunners in the transfer market, with no arrivals confirmed as yet.
There have been contract extensions this month for Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Jorginho left for Flamengo, Kieran Tierney returned to Celtic at the end of his contract and Thomas Partey is departing at the end of his deal.
Christian Norgaard is expected to arrive from Brentford in the near future, while Martin Zubimendi is also on his way to the Emirates, but confirmation is yet to arrive.
The search for a new striker continues, with Viktor Gyokeres remaining the most likely answer, but a deal yet to be struck with Sporting.