Arsenal are looking into a potential deal for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.
At this point there has been no club-to-club contact, but the interest is real. Vinicius Jr is one of a number of forward targets Arsenal are exploring, with Julian Alvarez, Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola also players of interest.
The Brazilian international, 26, has entered the final year of his contract and if an agreement cannot be found on a new deal, Real could be open to selling, rather than lose him for free next summer.
The Gunners are aiming to strengthen their left-wing options this summer and the Brazil ace would be a superstar addition.
Arsenal sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for £17m earlier this summer and have brought in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m. However, their alternative option in that area of the pitch, Gabriel Martinelli, scored just one Premier League goal last season.
Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid at Man City in the Champions League last season
Vinicius Jr, the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up, is currently on holiday following his exploits for Brazil at the World Cup.
Could Real’s Diomande move make Vinicius to Arsenal more likely?
Real Madrid are in pole position to sign RB Leipzig winger Diomande, according to Sky in Germany.
The Spanish giants have already had a £85.4m (€100m) bid rejected for the 19-year-old but Leipzig want significantly more to let him go.
Sky in Germany are reporting that Real were working with RB Leipzig on Saturday night to strike an agreement for the player.
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Take a look at all of the reasons why Yan Diomande is high on the radar of clubs from across the world
Diomande had previously indicated a preference to join Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer and agreed a contract with them until 2031.
Real have now also agreed personal terms with Diomande.
Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City also remain interested in Diomande.
With six weeks left of the transfer window, the situation has been described as an open race by sources close to any potential deal. Real have now come to the table with an offer amid uncertainty around the future of Vinicius Junior.
Analysis: Vinicius Jr would be jaw-dropping signing for Arsenal
Vinicius Jr’s stats from last season at Real Madrid
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
“It’s well known Arsenal are aiming to strengthen their left-wing options this summer – but a deal for Brazil ace Vinicius Junior would be a jaw-dropping addition.
“Vinicius Jr has one year left on his current Real Madrid contract so this could be the window of opportunity for potential suitors to make their move, as Real try to tie the winger down to a new deal.
“Vinicius Jr’s relationship with new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been in focus.
“However, it is understood the player and head coach have been in touch since an incident last season which saw Vinicius Jr abused by Mourinho’s Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni and that the pair were ready to start this new campaign together with a clean slate.
“But with Arsenal’s interest being reported, there is now the possibility Vinicius Jnr will be kicking off the 206/27 season in the Premier League.
“It’s a thrilling thought for Arsenal fans and neutrals on these shores – but a worrying one for the Gunners’ title rivals.”
Are Vinicius Jr’s wage demands too much for Arsenal?
Spanish football expert Terry Gibson on Sky Sports News:
“Vinicius Jr is currently on 15m Euros a year net.
“Real Madrid have offered him 20m Euros. He wants 30m Euros – just over 550,000 Euros a week net.
“There’s no budging on the contract from Real Madrid or Vinicius. Real Madrid are looking at a potential replacement in Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. This [contract situation] has been ongoing for 18 months.
“But when you put those figures in the melting pot, it’s hard to imagine Arsenal or anybody in the Premier League matching those sums of money.”
