Real Madrid have no intention of selling Vinicius Junior to Arsenal this summer, according to reports. The Premier League champions have made the Brazil international one of their top attacking targets for the summer transfer window and are actively exploring a deal.
Contract situation fuels Arsenal interest
Arsenal believe a deal with Madrid can be struck as Vinicius Jr has just one year remaining on his contract, meaning he could leave on a free transfer next summer. However, Sky Sports report that Madrid have no plans to sell Vinicius Jr to Arsenal this summer and are instead ‘confident’ that a new contract will be agreed. The report adds that ‘Jose Mourinho is understood to value Vinicius highly’ and wants him to remain part of his squad for the upcoming season.
Florentino Perez comments
In an interview with El Pais earlier this summer, Madrid president Florentino Perez insisted that he would not stand in Vinicius Jr’s way if he wants to leave but hoped that the winger would remain at the Santiago Bernabeu. ‘I’d love for him to stay forever,’ Perez said. ‘He’s won us the last two Champions Leagues and he’s very much identified with the club. Do you know who doesn’t want him? Those who aren’t Real Madrid fans. Vinicius is a star and I’ll be delighted to have him always. If he doesn’t want to be at Madrid and wants to sign with another club, he’ll be free to do so. I’m not going to force him into anything. Money won’t be the most important thing, it never has been.’
Arsenal's attacking targets
Arsenal are in the market to sign a new left-sided attacker this summer following Leandro Trossard’s £15.3 million move to Besiktas. The Premier League champions have already signed Greek forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m but remain in the market for another player. Bradley Barcola is also on Arsenal’s shortlist, although Liverpool have made the France international their top target and Paris Saint-Germain are demanding a €170 million (£145m) transfer fee. Arsenal have also made an approach for Yan Diomande but the RB Leipzig winger is closing in on a move to Real Madrid in a deal worth €135m (£115.6m).
