Arsenal are exploring a shock deal to sign Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid, with the Brazil forward’s future at the Bernabéu thrown into doubt by José Mourinho’s return as manager. The Premier League champions have inquired about the 26-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract.
Vinícius scored 22 goals for Real last season and four for Brazil at the World Cup. The move is at a formative stage as Mikel Arteta seeks a marquee signing to build on Arsenal’s first Premier League title in more than two decades. The club are also tracking Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
“Arsenal have inquired about Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior as Arteta targets a marquee signing after Premier League title”
Arsenal have already bolstered their attack this week, signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m. Morgan Rogers was identified as a target, but Arsenal were not prepared to pay more than £80m for the England international; he joined Chelsea in a £117m deal, a British record. Tzolis followed Piero Hincapié, who made his loan permanent, and goalkeeper Illan Meslier, a free transfer from Leeds.
Vinícius’s status at Real has been uncertain since Mourinho signed a three-year deal at the Bernabéu. The pair’s relationship soured after Mourinho, then Benfica manager, criticised Vinícius for accusing Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League tie in February. Mourinho said “something happens, always” in matches where Vinícius plays. Prestianni was later banned for six matches after admitting to using homophobic language towards the Brazilian.
Arsenal are also keen on signing Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, another Brazil international. After Newcastle’s 1-1 pre-season draw at Gateshead, Eddie Howe said: “We don’t want to lose our best players. I’ve spoken to him as I would do. Bruno is just a fantastic person. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bruno’s future. That’s for other people to speculate about.”