Hamburger SV chief Eric Huwer has been discussing the potential permanent signing of Arsenal attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira and Tottenham youngster Luka Vuskovic
Hamburger SV chief Eric Huwer has made it clear the German club are willing to spend double digits (millions) on a single player again as he talked up the possibility of signing Arsenal attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira.
Vieira is currently on loan from the Gunners but has enjoyed life in the Bundesliga, scoring five goals and registering four assists.
Hamburg have a £17.3million buy-option they can formally trigger at the end of the season, though they will try and lower that figure if they decide to push ahead with a transfer.
Speaking to local newspaper Abendblatt, Huwer clarified the club's stance on signing Vieira, explaining: "The situation is relatively relaxed. Fabio feels very comfortable in Hamburg , and I don't get the impression that Arsenal is basing its long-term plans on him. Fabio knows exactly what he has in Hamburg and at HSV.
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"The fundamental question now is what the player wants. And if he wants to stay, then we'll sit down with the Arsenal management and discuss possible solutions – similar to what we did with Sambi.
"Then we'll see if a transfer is possible. We're ready to experience special moments with Fabio in the long term. Whether that works out and at what price, we'll see in the summer."
When pushed further on whether the club can afford such a deal, Huwer reference one of their other loanees, Tottenham's Luka Vuskovic.
He continued: "If it's an investment we're convinced of. For someone like Luka Vuskovic, whom we were completely convinced of, I'd gladly pay €12 or €13million. The money isn't 'gone' but invested in the future.
"We work with data, paying attention to age and position structure. Success rates are finite – they're people. But the better the profile, including personality structure, is analysed, the higher the probability of being rewarded for bold decisions."
Vuskovic has been a major hit in Germany at HSV and has already outlined his interest in playing alongside his brother Mario next season, hinting he would be open to a second loan.
However, Tottenham are likely to strongly consider integrating him into their first-team while Barcelona and other clubs are also monitoring the Croatia international.
Given HSV don't have a buy-option clause or a clause that entitles them to a fresh loan, Tottenham hold all the power where Vuskovic's future is concerned.