Arsenal’s audacious pursuit of Vinicius Junior has hit an immediate wall – Jose Mourinho will not allow the Brazil winger to leave Real Madrid this summer. The newly installed Real Madrid manager has told the club he wants all his big names to stay, according to the Telegraph, effectively vetoing any approach from the Gunners before formal talks can begin.
Mourinho, who returned to the Bernabeu in the summer after a spell with Benfica, replacing Alvaro Arbeloa, has a complicated history with Vinicius. During a Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Benfica, Vinicius was allegedly racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. Asked if the winger had aggravated the crowd, Mourinho replied: “Yes. I believe so. It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.” He added: “I told [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.”
“Mourinho blocks Arsenal's Vinicius Jr move; Real Madrid open Diomande talks.”
Despite Mourinho’s stance, Arsenal have explored a move for the 26-year-old, with Gunners chiefs approving the transfer at all levels. No club-to-club talks have taken place, as first reported by The Athletic. Vinicius’s contract expires next summer, and Real Madrid would prefer to sell for a significant fee rather than lose him for free. However, Mourinho’s opposition appears to have stalled any progress.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are already lining up a replacement. The Spanish giants have opened talks for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, according to reports, after seeing an £85.4m bid rejected by RB Leipzig. Diomande is also a target for Liverpool and Manchester City. If Madrid can wrap up a deal for the teenager, Vinicius could be open to a move to Arsenal this summer, the Standard reports.
Vinicius has been with Real Madrid since arriving from Flamengo in 2018, making 376 appearances and scoring 128 goals, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues. For now, his future hangs on Mourinho’s resolve – and Madrid’s ability to land his would-be successor.
