Who is Fabio Vieira? Profile, style of play, and FIFA 22 rating as midfielder nears Arsenal transfer

Arsenal are understood to be closing in on a deal to sign FC Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira, according to various reports.

The Gunners are in the market for a number of new acquisitions this summer, and look set to wrap up after making a breakthrough in talks with the 22-year-old’s current employers.

Vieira is expected to cost Mikel Arteta’s men somewhere in the region of £34.2 million, and would follow USA goalkeeper Matt Turner and teenage Brazilian forward Marquinhos to north London.

It is suggested that a medical for the player is already in the pipeline.

But who is Vieira, and what can Arsenal fans expect to see from the promising talent?

Here’s everything you need to know...

Who is Fabio Vieira?

Vieira is a central midfielder who has progressed through the ranks of FC Porto’s youth system to establish himself as a key player in the Portuguese giants’ first team.

The 22-year-old was born in Santa Maria da Feira, a short distance away from Porto itself, and has been on the books at his local club since 2013.

Vieira made his senior debut for FC Porto B in February 2019, and followed it up with a first outing for the first team in June 2020.

Since then, he has gone on to make 76 appearances for Sérgio Conceição’s side, but really rose to prominence last season.

Vieira’s tally of 14 assists was the highest in Primeira Liga, and was supplemented with a further six goals in 27 top flight games.

Despite his recent form, however, the player is still yet to be capped by Portugal at senior international level, although his record of 13 goals in 21 outings for the U21s would suggest that it is only a matter of time before he is handed his first cap.

What sort of player is Fabio Vieira?

Generally operating in the heart of midfield, Vieira is versatile enough to feature in more advanced areas, or out wide as well.

His eye for an assist is a reflection of his impressive distribution, and the rising star is amassing a reputation for being something of a set-piece specialist too.

Vieira is also a gifted carrier of the ball who rarely loses possession, and is not averse to putting in his fair share of defensive work either.

What is Fabio Vieira’s FIFA 22 rating?

According to FIFA database FIFACM, Vieira’s base rating on popular video game FIFA 22 is 76, but the midfielder has the potential to reach an overall of 86.

To contextualise that figure, Thomas Partey is currently the Gunners’ highest-rated player, with a starting overall of 84.