Arsenal have made a shock inquiry to sign Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid, with the Brazil forward entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabéu. The 26-year-old, who scored 22 goals for Real last season and four for Brazil at the World Cup, has been identified by Mikel Arteta as a marquee signing to build on Arsenal’s first Premier League title in more than two decades.
Vinícius’s future at Real has become uncertain after José Mourinho’s return as manager—the Portuguese previously criticised the player after Vinícius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League tie in February. Prestianni was later banned for six matches for using homophobic language towards Vinícius. Mourinho, then Benfica manager, said “something happens, always” in matches where Vinícius plays.
“Arsenal have inquired about signing Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid as his future under José Mourinho looks uncertain.”
Any move for Vinícius is believed to be at a formative stage, with the Gunners also monitoring Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola. Arsenal have already bolstered their attack this week by signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m, while Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea in a £117m deal—a British record—after Arsenal were unwilling to exceed £80m for the England international.
Bruno Guimarães could also move to the Emirates, though Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “We don’t want to lose our best players. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bruno’s future.”