Fábio Vieira reveals deadline-day nerves as Arsenal exit finally goes through

Fábio Vieira has admitted he was nervous during the final days of the summer transfer window as Hamburg negotiated his permanent departure from Arsenal.

The 26-year-old ended his four-year association with the Gunners by completing a deadline-day move to the Bundesliga club, where he had already spent last season on loan.

Vieira had little prospect of becoming a regular under Mikel Arteta and Arsenal were looking for a permanent solution. Hamburg wanted him back, but a significant difference between the clubs' valuations ensured negotiations went down to the wire.

Arsenal reportedly initially wanted around €20m for Vieira.

Hamburg, meanwhile, were looking at approximately €9-10m and believed patience would ultimately work in their favour.

That strategy succeeded. Vieira eventually completed a permanent transfer for a reported €10m on deadline day.

Speaking to Sky Deutschland, the midfielder admitted the uncertainty surrounding his future had been difficult.

“The summer wasn’t easy for me. For a long time, I didn’t know where my path would lead,” Vieira said.

He explained that returning to Hamburg eventually became his preferred solution after enjoying his loan spell there.

“I was already here last season, enjoyed every moment, and realised: This is the perfect place for me.”

Although Vieira wanted the move, completing it was ultimately dependent on Arsenal and Hamburg reaching an agreement.

“The last two or three days in particular were quite intense,” he said. “I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know if everything would really work out.”

Vieira said the successful conclusion had left him delighted to be back in Germany permanently.

Hamburg director Claus Costa also played an important role.

Costa travelled to London in August for negotiations and met Vieira as the parties attempted to establish a route towards an agreement.

“Claus had a big influence,” Vieira explained. “He came to London, we had a meeting there, and we laid everything on the table.”

From that stage, Vieira says the outcome was largely beyond his control.

“At some point, it wasn’t up to me anymore, but up to the two clubs. They sorted it out, and now I’m here.”

Vieira's permanent transfer followed an encouraging loan spell in Germany.

He registered seven goals and six assists in 31 appearances last season, convincing Hamburg that they wanted to keep him.

His Arsenal career had never developed in the same way.

After arriving from Porto for a reported €22m in 2022, Vieira struggled to secure consistent minutes under Arteta and was eventually loaned back to his former club before heading to Hamburg.

His future at Arsenal was effectively decided before this summer's negotiations began.

Hamburg simply had to find a price Arsenal were prepared to accept.

They eventually did, and Vieira can now concentrate on establishing himself permanently at a club where he already feels comfortable.

Vieira has played 152 minutes across three matches so far this season and can now focus entirely on rebuilding his career in Hamburg without uncertainty over his Arsenal future.

For Arsenal, the transfer brought a definitive end to a signing that never developed as hoped under Arteta. For Vieira, it provides something arguably more important at this stage of his career: a permanent home where he already knows he can perform.