Exclusive: Arsenal target Vinicius Jr future at Real Madrid to be decided this week
Vinicius Jr’s future at Real Madrid will be decided this week amid interest from Arsenal in a blockbuster move, Morning Wire understands.
The Brazilian left winger is under contract with Los Blancos until 2027 but negotiations in Spain have stalled having begun over a year ago, opening the door for an audacious attempt by the Gunners to bring the 26-year-old to England.
Premier League champions Arsenal are said to be growing in confidence over a £128m move for Vinicius. He is due to hold fresh talks with Real Madrid chiefs today and Morning Wire sources with knowledge of the deal state that the uncertainty will be resolved one way or another by the end of the week.
It could lead to a bumper new deal with the LaLiga club, who this season will be managed for a second time by former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho, or a club stint outside of Spain for the first time since he arrived from Brazil in 2018.
Vinicius has had a mixed career in Spain, with his array of trophies – three LaLiga titles and two Champions League trophies – marred by repeated instances of racism against him.
Vinicius Jr to Arsenal?
The Brazilian has not submitted a transfer request, as per a number of reports, and this week returned to pre-season preparations at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex ahead of their opening LaLiga match away to Espanyol on 22 August.
He is reportedly seeking a significant increase on his £300,000 per week contract in the Spanish capital, equivalent to £15m a year, and Arsenal are said to be ready to offer him a salary of £25m to lure him to London.
Mikel Arteta is looking to take his Premier League winners to the next level and will be targeting a first Champions League with the club he has managed since 2019, having reached the final last season.
Arsenal have already signed Piero Hincapie – making a loan agreement permanent – from Bayer Leverkusen, Christos Tzolis for £34m from Club Brugge and completed a free transfer move for Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Across their wider squad, Arsenal have lost Leandro Trossard, Karl Hein and Jakub Kiwior to Besiktas, Werder Bremen and Porto respectively.