Arsenal are preparing to make Vinicius Junior the highest-paid player in the club’s history, offering a contract that would dwarf Bukayo Saka’s £365,000-a-week deal as they target Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger. Vinicius, 26, currently earns £400,000 per week at the Bernabeu and has entered the final year of his contract, with Real facing the prospect of losing him on a free transfer next summer unless they tie him down to a new deal.
The Gunners are closely monitoring developments as contract negotiations stall, though no direct contact has been made between the clubs. The move comes after Arsenal sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and signed Christos Tzolis for £34m, but Mikel Arteta remains keen to strengthen the left wing. Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has also been scouted, but both Arsenal and Liverpool have been quoted £145m for the Frenchman.
“Arsenal plan record-breaking £400k/week offer for Vinicius Junior as Real Madrid risk losing him free”
Vinicius’ prospective wages would not be a problem for the Emirates hierarchy, according to a report from the Telegraph. The club want to build on last season’s Premier League title win and go one step further in the Champions League, having lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
However, Real Madrid’s new manager Jose Mourinho has drawn a line in the sand: he is opposed to selling Vinicius at the start of his second spell in Madrid. Concerns linger over how an attack containing both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe can function at the highest level. Since Mbappe joined Real from PSG in July 2024 – weeks after they secured an historic La Liga and Champions League double with Vinicius at the heart of their success – the club have failed to win a trophy and been through three permanent managers. Meanwhile, arch-rivals Barcelona have won five of the six domestic trophies available.
Vinicius will not feature in Real’s first pre-season friendly on Tuesday against Leganes, as he remains on holiday after the World Cup. Arsenal’s pursuit is likely to test Mourinho’s resolve – and whether the allure of a record-breaking contract can tempt Vinicius away from a team that may no longer guarantee him silverware.