Nottingham Forest could seal ‘special’ Fabio Vieira move if they listen to Edu

Nottingham Forest could make a smart addition with the signing of Fabio Vieira this summer, if they listen to their former Head of Global Football Edu.

According to Fussball Transfers in Germany, Nottingham Forest have submitted a bid worth £24.16million for Vieira.

The Arsenal midfielder is expected to be free to leave north London this summer after spending the season on loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

Edu was responsible for player recruitment during his eight-month spell at Nottingham Forest, but departed the club due to a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The Brazilian was formerly a technical director and sporting director at Arsenal, and was in post when the Gunners signed Vieira from Porto.

Vieira though has only made 49 appearances for Arsenal since joining in 2022, despite what Edu had to say about the 26-year-old.

In an interview with Arsenal when Vieira was signed, Edu compared him to fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard.

Edu said: "Fabio is the one which we probably don't have anyone in the squad with his characteristics. Maybe Martin Odegaard has his qualities, [Emile] Smith Rowe probably has the same quality, but he has something very special because he likes to play very close to the final third.

"He likes to play in the pocket. He feels comfortable in that position because, as I said before to Mikel [Arteta], it's very difficult to find a player like him because of the way he plays and the way he feels comfortable on the field.

"So, it is a very difficult, very challenging position. So, I think we will enjoy a lot seeing Fabio play for us."

Despite his failed time at Arsenal, Nottingham Forest fans could be excited to see Vieira in action, if they trust Edu's judgement.

Speculation over Vieira moving to the City Ground comes as sources revealed to Football Insider that Morgan Gibbs-White is considering a move to Arsenal.

Nottingham Forest will not want to lose Gibbs-White, and the 26-year-old would be hard to replace.

Vieira contributed seven goals and five assists in the Bundesliga this season, but his limited game time at Arsenal means he is not proven in the Premier League.

It is likely that manager Vitor Pereira would not rest his hopes on Vieira and he would scout the market for another new midfielder.

The sale of Gibbs-White could net Nottingham Forest more than £60million to boost their transfer budget, whilst the Tricky Trees also face the prospect of losing Elliot Anderson to Manchester City.