Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Porto to have first refusal on the signing of Fabio Vieira.
The 21-year-old learned his trade in the youth ranks at Porto and has since emerged as a standout performer for Sergio Conceicao's side since his breakthrough in 2020-21.
Vieira's 2021-22 campaign has seen him make 39 appearances for the Portuguese outfit in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists in the process.
Six of Vieira's goals and 14 of his assists have come in 27 Primeira Liga matches, in spite of the 21-year-old only starting 15 games in Porto's title-winning campaign.
Only Benfica's Rafa Silva (15) has set up teammates on more occasions than Vieira in the Primeira Liga this season, and the playmaker's form has not gone unnoticed.
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According to The Mirror - via the Liverpool Echo - Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Vieira's development and have already struck a transfer agreement with Porto.
Jurgen Klopp's side are understood to have first refusal on the Portugal Under-21 international's signing amid suggestions that Arsenal are also interested in his services.
Vieira is under contract at Porto until the summer of 2025 after penning a new deal last November, although that deal reportedly includes a £12.7m release clause.
Liverpool or Arsenal could expect to fork out a larger fee due to bonuses and performance-related add-ons, though, and interest in Vieira is only expected to grow.
In total, Vieira has made 76 senior appearances for Porto in all competitions, coming up with 10 goals and 18 assists as well as winning two Portuguese top-flight titles.
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The youngster is still waiting for his debut for the Portugal national team but has already made 19 appearances for the Under-21s, registering an impressive 11 goals and four assists.
Vieira has also captained the Portugal Under-21s on two occasions and has operated in a variety of forward areas - namely in the number 10 role but also garnering experience on the left and right-hand side.
Liverpool struck an agreement with Porto to sign Colombian attacker Luis Diaz for £37.5m back in January, and the 25-year-old has made an immediate impression at Anfield.
Diaz has already won the EFL Cup and FA Cup with the Reds and has banked six goals and four assists in 24 games for the Reds since his winter arrival.
Liverpool will be aiming to cut the gap to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table to just one point when they meet Southampton at St Mary's on Tuesday evening.
Ben Knapton
