Newcastle United looked at possibly signing Fabio Vieira this summer according to journalist Chris Waugh.
The Athletic reporter has stated that the Magpies like the 22-year-old when asked if Newcastle were looking to sign a midfielder this summer on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne.
Newcastle are currently in the market for attacking players, having boosted their backline with the addition of Sven Botman.
Eddie Howe will now look to sign a striker and wide attacker, but there have been links with centre-midfielders such as Christian Eriksen.
Vieira is another player who the club apparently looked at, but he’s gone elsewhere.
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Newcastle like Arsenal’s summer signing Fabio Vieira
Speaking on the latest episode of Athletic podcast Pod On The Tyne, Waugh mentioned Newcastle’s admiration for the Portuguese midfielder.
“Fabio Vieira, who’s just signed for Arsenal – Newcastle did like and looked at for quite a while,” Waugh said.
He will be coming to St James’ Park next season, but only when Arsenal arrive to take on Howe’s team.
Vieira joined the Gunners earlier this month, signing a long-term contract at the Emirates. Arsenal have spent big, with Porto receiving £30million, plus potentially another £4million in add-ons.
He would have been an expensive addition for Newcastle, but within our price range given we’re paying a similar fee to Lille for Botman.
An attacking midfielder isn’t a priority for the Magpies right now, but Vieira certainly would have been an exciting addition.
If Newcastle had brought him in, it could have been another Bruno Guimaraes style situation. The Brazil international was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, but ended up joining Newcastle instead, much to the delight of the Toon Army.
Nabbing Vieira could have been a second star signing the Toon owners had pipped Arsenal too. But instead he’s off to the Emirates.
He arrives at Arsenal on the back of an excellent season in Portugal, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists on route to the title with Porto.
The youngster has great vision and can carve open a defence, which is exactly what Newcastle want from a midfielder.
Sadly, it’s Arsenal who will be reaping the benefits of Vieira. But it’s good to see the Magpies have these kinds of players on their radar at least.