Arsenal have been contacted about a deal for a "spectacular" forward, who has been tearing it up in the Champions League this season.
Gunners eyeing new forward after FA Cup exit
After his side's quadruple chances were ended by Manchester City prior to the international break, Mikel Arteta would've been hoping for a response, but Southampton emerged as shock 2-1 winners at St. Mary's in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
However, the two biggest prizes are still up for grabs, and Arteta has called on the Gunners to step up heading into some very important Premier League and Champions League matches.
The Spaniard said: "We have the most important period in both competitions ahead of us, and it's now the moment when you have a difficult moment in the season, to show what we are made of - and it is now we have to show who we are.
"Obviously, we're very disappointed. We wanted to get back to Wembley as quickly as possible, and we haven't managed to do that - so first of all, congratulations to Southampton for being there."
Although he didn't feature against the Saints, Bukayo Saka has been called into question because of some of his recent performances, and the north Londoners have now set their sights on a new forward ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, intermediaries have been in contact with Arsenal about a deal for Vinicius Jr, who is currently set to leave Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer of 2027.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts
Little progress has been made in negotiations about a new contract, which has led Vinicius' camp to offer him to a number of top clubs in the Premier League and Europe.
At the moment, the Brazilian isn't actively pushing for a move, but if he does decide to move on, the left-winger could be an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli, having amassed 17 league goal contributions this season, compared to just four from his compatriot.
Journalist Tom Allnutt is a keen admirer of the 25-year-old, who has the same agent as Martinelli, taking to X to praise him during the 2024-25 season, not long before finishing as runner-up to Manchester City star Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
Vinicius, who earns £350k-a-week, is a serial winner, lifting three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, and he could be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, who perhaps need players more used to getting over the line, given what has happened in the domestic cup competitions.
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The Gunners are prepared to spend big this summer.