Arsenal are preparing to smash their wage structure to land Vinicius Junior, with the Real Madrid winger entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu. The 26-year-old currently earns £400,000 a week, a figure the Gunners are willing to match and even improve to secure the Brazil international's signature.
Such a deal would eclipse Bukayo Saka's current £365,000-a-week contract—the club's existing highest earner—as Arsenal look to build on last season's Premier League title. Mikel Arteta is prioritising a left-winger after selling Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, and while Christos Tzolis has arrived for £34m, the manager wants more firepower. Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola has been scouted, but PSG’s £145m asking price has cooled interest.
“Arsenal ready to offer Vinicius Junior record-breaking salary as Real Madrid contract talks stall.”
Vinicius became a transfer target after contract negotiations with Real Madrid stalled, according to reports. Arsenal and Real have not yet engaged in direct contact, but the prospect of losing Vinicius on a free transfer next summer looms large. New Real boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be opposed to selling the forward, yet concerns persist over how Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe can coexist after a trophy-less campaign since Mbappe’s arrival in July 2024. Barcelona have won five of the six domestic trophies available in that period.
Vinicius, still on holiday following the World Cup, will miss Real's first pre-season friendly on Tuesday. With his future unresolved, Arsenal are ready to offer the biggest contract in their history to bring him to north London.