Mikel Arteta has become so smitten with the prospect of signing Vinicius Jr that the Brazilian is now viewed internally as Arsenal's number one target, according to sources close to the club. The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward, who has scored 128 goals in 375 matches and won 14 trophies since joining as an 18-year-old in 2018, has entered the final year of his contract. Fresh talks opened on Monday have yet to produce a breakthrough, with Vinicius still receptive to staying but wanting "to feel loved" at whichever club he plays for.
That desire for appreciation is something Arsenal can offer, as the Mirror notes that at the Emirates he would undoubtedly receive exactly that. Arteta has already persuaded transfer targets like Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber that Arsenal represented their finest option, and he will have prepared a detailed plan for how Vinicius would fit into his setup. However, a move remains a long shot. For most South American footballers, playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is a lifelong ambition, and leaving the Bernabeu could also impact the player's commercial brand.
“Arsenal make Vinicius Jr their number one target as Real Madrid star enters final contract year.”
The contractual impasse has alerted Arsenal after they missed out on Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117m – a fee Arsenal could have matched but chose not to exceed their valuation. Now, more funds would almost certainly be allocated to Vinicius if a deal became possible. His market value, according to industry sources, would exceed £200m.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been extremely active in the transfer market under new manager Jose Mourinho, who has brought in Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Denzel Dumfries on free transfers, as well as Marc Cucurella from Chelsea for £51.8m. The club is now pursuing Manchester City midfielder Rodri and has struck a substantial agreement with RB Leipzig for winger Yan Diomande. Should both costly deals be finalised, a high-profile departure may become necessary, with Vinicius potentially the one to make way – particularly given he could walk away for nothing next summer.
Talks over a new Real deal for Vinicius are expected to ramp up in the coming days, but the clock is ticking. Arsenal know there are no guarantees they will land their priority target, and those close to Vinicius admit any move to north London would be difficult. For now, the ball remains in Madrid's court.