Manchester United attacking midfielder has heaped praised on new Arsenal signing Fabio Vieira.
Arsenal's new signing joined the club earlier this summer in a deal with £35 million, and while he is something of an unknown quantity to fans of the Premier League, Fernandes, has spoken in glowing terms about him.
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“I welcome all Portuguese players who go abroad, I hope he can shine to the fullest, except against me," Fernandes told reporters in Portugal, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
Vieira joins from FC Porto and had an impressive return of 23 goal involvements last season, scoring seven and assisting 16 across all competitions.
“Fábio has a lot of quality and has been demonstrating that, whether in the FC Porto is in the Under-21s, he has had good numbers and good performances," Fernandes continued.
“I hope he succeeds like all the Portuguese out there.
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"We have to start valuing what is ours and I hope that Fábio manages to be as good as possible, despite of wanting to stay ahead.”
Vieira became Arsenal's second official signing of the summer after the club moved for Brazilian teenage winger Marquinhos, while also completing the signing of American goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The signing of £45 million centre forward Gabriel Jesus is expected to be completed on Friday, with the Brazilian already spotted in an Arsenal number nine shirt.
It's not yet known what role Vieira will have to play in the Arsenal team, but his threat in front of goal will provide Arsenal with the kind of depth that they missed last season, relying on many of the starting 11 members of the side.
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Former Liverpool defender Jose Fonte also recently heaped praise on Vieira, who like Fernandes, told Arsenal fans to get 'very excited' about their new signing.
“He’s a very exciting young player who is very talented on the ball and intelligent,” said Fonte.
“Arsenal fans should be very excited because he’s the sort of player that they’ll like.
"I’m looking forward to seeing him in the Premier League.”
Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fabio Vieira, Transfers
Adam Hamdani