Arsenal make ambitious bid for Vinicius Junior
Arsenal are willing to hand Vinicius Junior a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, as they mount an ambitious bid to prise the Brazilian away from Real Madrid, reports BritPanorama.
The 26-year-old currently takes home £400,000 per week at the Bernabéu, but the Premier League champions would look to better those terms significantly to tempt him to north London.
Such an offer would surpass the £365,000-a-week deal Bukayo Saka signed in February, which itself includes annual increases. With just twelve months remaining on his Madrid contract and renewal negotiations at a standstill, Arsenal’s hierarchy have assessed the financial requirements and concluded that money will pose no obstacle.
Vinicius has been prolific during his time in the Spanish capital, netting 128 goals and providing 100 assists across 375 appearances for the club. Last season alone, he contributed 22 goals and 14 assists in 53 matches in all competitions, underlining the quality he would bring to Mikel Arteta’s forward line.
His form carried over to the international stage at the World Cup, where he was among the standout performers, scoring four times and registering one assist in five outings for Brazil. Arsenal view the winger as a player capable of elevating their attack to a new level entirely.
Jose Mourinho, who returned to the Bernabéu for a second stint as manager, is firmly against losing the winger as he begins his tenure. Yet renewal discussions have failed to produce an agreement, and Madrid risk seeing Vinicius depart for nothing next summer, with a substantial loyalty bonus also due if he remains for the 2026-27 campaign.
The partnership between Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé has raised questions at the highest level since the Frenchman’s arrival in July 2024. Since then, Real Madrid have gone without a single trophy and cycled through three permanent managers, while Barcelona have claimed five of six available domestic honours.
Arteta is keen to bolster his options on the left flank following Leandro Trossard’s sale to Besiktas. The Gunners have so far made just two summer additions — winger Christos Tzolis, signed for £34 million, and goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has also been scouted as a potential attacking reinforcement, though the French club are demanding £145 million and Liverpool are circling as well.
No formal dialogue between Arsenal and Real Madrid has taken place regarding a transfer for Vinicius. The forward will sit out Madrid’s opening pre-season friendly against Leganés on Tuesday, still on holiday after the World Cup.
In football, ambition often clashes with pragmatism, and as Arsenal targets one of the game’s brightest stars, the outcome of this pursuit could redefine their trajectory in both domestic and European arenas.
