The Portuguese midfielder has struggled for game time so far this season (Picture: Getty)
Marseille are plotting a January loan move for out-of-favour Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira, according to reports.
Vieira moved to the Gunners in a €35million (£30.6m) deal last summer but has struggled to find a regular place in the team.
The Portuguese U21-international has started just two Premier League games this season, regularly finding himself behind captain Martin Odegaard and new summer signing Kai Havertz in the midfield pecking order.
Most recently, the 23-year-old was sent off in the Gunners’ 3-1 win against Burnley before the international break.
Now, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Vieira could be heading out on loan to Ligue 1 in the new year, with Marseille interested in the midfielder’s services.
However, a deal is said to be far from concrete at this stage, with the French side still trying to complete a deal to bring in former Juventus and Bayern Munich centre-back Mehdi Benatia as their director of football.
‘Marseille have been linked with an interest in signing Fabio Vieira on loan, but it’s too early to say on this one,’ Romano said speaking to CaughtOffside.
Vieira was sent off during Arsenal’s most recent game before the international break (Picture: Getty)
‘Arsenal have not decided anything yet on players to leave in January and also Marseille have still no director; it will be Mehdi Benatia, who is set to be announced this week, but it’s still early to negotiate for players.’
Arsenal, though, may also be wary about letting the midfielder leave on loan due to their various injury issues throughout the season to key players in central midfield.
Thomas Partey is expected to be out until at least the new year after he underwent surgery on a thigh problem, while Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Mohammed Elneny have all also suffered injuries throughout this campaign.
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Marseille currently sit 10th in the French league after a poor start to the season which led to the sacking of Marcelino in September.
New manager Gennaro Gattuso has failed to provide a real uptick in fortunes, with just one win from his five league games in charge so far.
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He’s struggled for game time this season.