Arsenal are prepared to offer Vinicius Junior a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Real Madrid star currently earns £400,000 a week, and the Gunners are ready to enhance those terms in a bold attempt to lure him to north London.
But even as Real Madrid close in on a deal worth over £100m for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, they remain adamant about keeping Vinicius. The LaLiga club have opened new talks this week to tie the Brazilian down to a long-term extension, though no breakthrough has been reached. New boss Jose Mourinho wants to retain all his star players, but if no agreement is reached, Madrid would prefer to sell rather than lose Vinicius on a free transfer next year.
“Arsenal prepare record £400k-plus contract for Vinicius Jr, but Real Madrid insist on keeping him despite £100m Diomande deal.”
Arsenal are confident they can meet his wage demands, the Sun reports. Mikel Arteta has already strengthened his front line by signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m last week, though the Gunners missed out on top target Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for a record £117m. The club is also pursuing Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has told club chiefs he wants to join Arsenal. But Newcastle are keen to keep hold of their midfielder after losing Sandro Tonali to Tottenham.
Across London, Liverpool are working on a deal for PSG winger Bradley Barcola. The Reds will have to break the Premier League transfer record, as Paris Saint-Germain values the 19-year-old at £145m, the Daily Mail reports.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are offering Marcus Rashford to Roma in an attempt to reduce the transfer fee for Manu Kone, but La Gazzetta dello Sport describes any deal as unlikely due to Rashford's £325,000-a-week wages.
As for Diomande, Sky Germany reports that Real Madrid have verbally agreed personal terms, and their second bid worth up to €115m (£98m) has not been rejected by RB Leipzig. Further talks are needed over the structure, as Leipzig wants a higher guaranteed figure and fewer add-ons. But even if the 19-year-old arrives at the Bernabeu, the Sun reports it will have no bearing on Madrid's stance: they still want Vinicius to stay.
Arsenal's pursuit of Vinicius remains one of the most audacious in Premier League history — but with Madrid refusing to budge, it may come down to whether the Brazilian forces a move.