Arsenal have made a shock inquiry to sign Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants have slapped a £137m (€160m) price tag on the Brazil international – a figure that would shatter the British transfer record.
The 26-year-old winger has one year remaining on his contract at the Bernabéu, and negotiations over an extension have hit an impasse. Real Madrid are determined not to lose him on a free transfer next summer, and according to Spanish publication SPORT, the La Liga club will refuse to enter discussions unless the full fee is met. The current British record is £125m, paid by Liverpool for Alexander Isak last summer.
“Arsenal exploring £137m move for Vinícius Júnior as Real Madrid demand British record fee.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, fresh from guiding the club to its first Premier League title in more than two decades, views Vinícius as a marquee signing to build on that success. The forward scored 22 goals and provided 14 assists for Real last season, and added four goals for Brazil at the World Cup.
But any deal is complicated by the return of José Mourinho as Real Madrid manager. Mourinho, who signed a three-year contract at the Bernabéu, has reportedly made clear he wants Vinícius to stay. The Portuguese coach was previously criticised for comments made 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. The Telegraph reports that Mourinho would oppose selling the Brazilian to Arsenal.
However, Real may need to raise funds for a £102m pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande – a player also on Arsenal’s radar. If Diomande opts for Madrid, that could increase the likelihood of Vinícius moving to the Emirates.
Arsenal have already strengthened their attack this summer, signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m, while Piero Hincapié turned his loan permanent and goalkeeper Illan Meslier arrived from Leeds. The club also targeted Morgan Rogers but were unwilling to exceed £80m; he joined Chelsea for a British-record £117m.
With Real Madrid and the player due to meet at the end of July to discuss a contract extension, Arsenal will monitor developments closely. Whether Arteta can secure one of the game’s premier attacking talents may depend on whether Madrid’s need for cash outweighs Mourinho’s desire to keep him.