Vinicius Jr will not return to Real Madrid training this week, with the Brazilian staying away while his representatives try to make progress on a new contract, as Arsenal wait in the wings. The 26-year-old has been given an extended break after the World Cup, but was expected back in the Spanish capital for pre-season. Instead, he remains absent as talks stall over an extension to his deal, which runs out at the end of the upcoming season.
The major sticking point is his wage demands. Vinicius wants financial parity with Real's top earner, Kylian Mbappe, but the La Liga giants want him to lower that request. If he fails to do so, the door opens for Arsenal, who have internally discussed signing the winger. The club view him as their number one target for a left-sided attacker, though no bid has yet been tabled. Arsenal recently missed out on Morgan Rogers, who chose to move to Chelsea.
“Vinicius Jr refuses to return to Real Madrid training amid contract wage dispute, with Arsenal monitoring situation.”
Real are preparing for a potential departure. They are closing in on a £115m deal for RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, who scored 12 goals and registered eight assists last season. The Ivorian would serve as a direct replacement for Vinicius. Jose Mourinho, back in charge at Real, has already added Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate and Marc Cucurella this summer.
Teams in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring Vinicius's situation closely, after months of speculation linking him with a move to the Middle East. For now, Arsenal remain the most interested European suitor, but any deal would almost certainly be a club-record transfer.
