‘Crucial days’ are ahead as Arsenal wait to find out whether a move for Vinicius Junior will be viable this summer.
Standard Sport understands the Brazilian has emerged as a key target for the Gunners as Mikel Arteta looks to level up his attack ahead of a first Premier League title defence for over two decades. He is one of a number of attacking reinforcements being considered.
Their pursuit of the player will be pricey and hinges on his uncertain contract situation.
Vinicius is entering the final 12 months of his current Real Madrid deal and talks over a renewal have proven unproductive. The club’s offer, reported to be worth €20m (£17.1m) per season, was rejected by the player’s camp, whose counter-offer was in turn rejected by the club.
Real are said to have presented various options to the player, with greater financial incentives tied to longer-term offers.
New reporting in The Athletic suggests his complicated situation will become far clearer in the coming days, and Real have presented Vinicius with three options as his future hangs in the balance. He can either leave the club to join Arsenal this summer, leave as a free agent next summer, or sign a new deal.
The Gunners are poised to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding his future, with the player thought to be open to a move and Arteta keen to add him to his ranks. Vinicius is considered to be one of few players in world football who can upgrade the Premier League champions’ squad.
They will, of course, face competition for his signature, with other top European sides thought to be interested.
It has previously been reported that Vinicius is leaning towards extending his Real Madrid contract rather than moving to England. He is due to report to Valdebebas for pre-season training in the coming days, but may stay away from the Real training ground as his future remains uncertain.
Jose Mourinho does not want the player to leave.
It is not clear precisely what Arsenal might have to spend to sign Vinicius should a move be deemed feasible, but the considerable commercial opportunities his signing will present would help to offset the transfer fee and hefty wage package.
Arsenal have already added Christos Tzolis to their ranks this summer as a replacement for Leandro Trossard, and are hoping to sign Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
