Real Madrid have opened contract talks with Vinicius Jr on Monday — but as of yet, to no avail — leaving the Arsenal target’s future hanging in the balance. The 26-year-old Brazil international, who joined the Spanish giants as an 18-year-old in 2018, has scored 128 goals in 375 matches and won 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues. Yet with only one year remaining on his deal, a situation described as “perplexing” by industry sources, the door has cracked open for suitors.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has become so smitten with signing Vinicius that he is viewed internally as the club’s number one target, according to BBC Sport. The Gunners are prepared to offer the Real Madrid star the biggest contract in the club’s history, the Daily Telegraph reports, with his current £400,000-a-week salary potentially being enhanced. However, sources close to Arsenal insist he is just one of a number of options, and the club is realistic about their chances — they know it is a long shot.
“Arsenal ready to offer Vinicius Jr biggest contract in club history, but Real Madrid confident he stays.”
Real Madrid themselves have no intention of selling and are confident the forward will stay, Sky Sports reports. For most South American footballers, leaving the Bernabeu — even for a club as illustrious as Arsenal — would be viewed as a sideways step, with potential impact on his commercial brand. Talks over a new deal are expected to ramp up in the coming days, and the player is said to be receptive but “wants to feel loved”.
What happens next may hinge on whether Madrid can convince Vinicius that his future remains in the Spanish capital — or whether Arsenal’s bold financial offer proves enough to turn his head.