According to The Times, Arsenal have offered Fabio Vieira a contract worth £46,000-a-week, with a £34m deal close to completion.
What’s the story?
Well, it was said that Arsenal would be paying the 22-year-old a weekly salary of £23,000-a-week.
That was either incorrect, or Vieira managed to get the Gunners to double their initial contract offer, as a £46,000-a-week deal is now close to being signed.
The Portuguese playmaker cut short his holiday in Mykonos to join the Gunners, before flying to north London to undergo a medical and sign his five-year contract.
Vieira’s arrival is not thought to have an impact on Arsenal’s pursuit of Youri Tielemans, while a £50m deal for Gabriel Jesus is also close to being agreed with Manchester City.
A £34m transfer fee, and wages of £46,000-a-week, may seem like a pricey package for Arsenal to deal with, although he is actually nowhere near the club’s highest earners.
In fact, according to Spotrac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira and Pablo Mari earn more than what Vieira is expected to receive.
If the “special” playmaker hits the ground running in the Premier League, he may have something to say about that.
Arsenal being smart with Fabio Vieira
In our view, Arsenal have done well to get Vieira to agree to a £46,000-a-week deal.
A marquee signing in this day and age would have every right to demand at least £100,000-a-week, especially a player joining in a deal worth £34m.
However, in getting Vieira to sign a £46,000-a-week deal, Mikel Arteta is putting himself in a good position to reward the youngster with a pay rise if he impresses.
Had he gone straight to £100,000-a-week or more, it would be more difficult to motivate him with financial incentives.
In our view, Edu can give himself a pat on the back for negotiating this deal.
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