Arsenal are exploring a significant move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, whose contract situation in the Spanish capital is entering its final year. The potential transfer is viewed internally at Arsenal as a viable option and has received approval at all levels, according to The Athletic.
The 26-year-old Brazil international is a prominent candidate as the Premier League club looks to bolster its attacking options. However, as The Athletic reports, interest remains at an early stage, and no club-to-club talks have yet taken place, meaning a deal is far from guaranteed.
Vinicius Jr’s current deal with Real Madrid is set to expire next summer, a situation that Real Madrid is keen to resolve to avoid losing a valuable asset for free. Sources indicate that contract negotiations, which have been ongoing for over a year, paused following a fallout with Xabi Alonso, with no agreement reached since. This uncertainty could make Real Madrid open to a sale this summer.
Ben Jacobs elaborated on the situation, stating, “Vinicius Jr is yet to sign a new Real Madrid contract, and should progress not be made, a sale this summer is not to be discounted by Real sources. On-off renewal talks have taken place for over a year, and an extension has been close at times, but Vinicius Jr paused negotiations following the fallout with Xabi Alonso and no agreement has been reached since.”
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Real Madrid’s Diomande pursuit could open door
Real Madrid’s own transfer strategy could play a crucial role in Vinicius Jr’s future. The Spanish giants are actively pursuing RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande. An initial offer of €100 million for Diomande was rejected by Leipzig, but Real Madrid is reportedly preparing a second bid believed to be worth €120 million.
Should Diomande join Real Madrid, it would reportedly embolden the club to consider selling Vinicius Jr. Interestingly, both Vinicius Jr and Diomande are managed by Roc Nation, a detail that could streamline potential negotiations.
A spectacular triple coup for Arsenal
While Vinicius Jr is on Arsenal’s radar, he is not necessarily their primary target for the left wing, as noted by Alex Crook. The club is also known to admire other wingers, including Diomande, Bradley Barcola, and Nico Williams. Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius Jr is part of a broader, ambitious transfer strategy targeting a “spectacular triple coup.”
Beyond the Brazilian, Arsenal are also reportedly preparing an imminent £70 million bid for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Furthermore, the club is said to be prepared to break the British transfer record – currently £125 million for Alexander Isak to Liverpool – to secure Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.
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Vinicius Jr’s availability has also attracted attention from other major clubs. He was suggested to Liverpool by his representatives, but the Merseyside club showed no meaningful engagement, choosing instead to focus on strengthening their right-wing. Central Saudi figures, including Al-Ahli, also reportedly “dream” of signing Vinicius Jr, having proposed a five-year €1 billion contract last year.
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