Premier League champions Arsenal are exploring a blockbuster move to sign Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior.
In an exclusive from The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Gunnerblog, the Gunners' interest remains in the early stages, and no club-to-club talks have yet taken place. However, the idea of signing Vini Jr has been approved across all levels at Arsenal.
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The Brazilian is in the final year of his contract at Real Madrid, and Los Blancos have made it very clear that they do not want any exit to happen on a free, which potentially opens up a possibility for the Gunners to try and pull off what would be the biggest transfer of the window.
Arsenal have already replaced Leandro Trossard at left wing this summer, bringing in Greek international Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for a reported fee of £34 million.
Arsenal's need for a top left winger
Arsenal exploring move to sign Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid
Arsenal have been looking for an elite forward this summer, as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown ((Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
However, they are still looking for that marquee left-winger. It seemed that Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers would be the one to fill that role, having seemingly been one of, if not Mikel Arteta’s top targets for that position. In the end, though, they were gazumped by London rivals Chelsea, who agreed a British transfer record of £117 million to sign Rogers.
The champions have also been linked to Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig and Bradley Barcola from PSG.
A dynasty-defining signing
Vini Jr would be a potential dynasty-defining signing though, and possibly the most high-profile signing that Arsenal have made, perhaps ever, but definitely at least since Dennis Bergkamp from Inter Milan in 1995.
Though it was not his best year, 34 goal contributions in 59 games is still a ridiculous total, and for Brazil at the World Cup this summer, he scored four goals and assisted once as the Seleção crashed out in the round of 16 to Norway.
Martinelli's struggles on the left
Arsenal have also struggled to find that elite left winger in Mikel Arteta’s side. Gabriel Martinelli seemed like he could be the one to fill that role, but since the 15-goal Premier League season in 2022/23, he has struggled, despite scoring 11 times last season; only one came in the league.
The left wing is the main outlier in the Arsenal team, so if they could successfully bring in arguably the best player in world football in that position, then the possibilities may become endless for the champions of England.