Arsenal are lining up a sensational swoop for Vinicius Junior and will offer the Real Madrid star a record-breaking salary in order to prise him away from the Bernabeu
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 22: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scores the third goal of his team during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 22, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Bruno Penas/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior currently earns a whopping £400,000 per week(Image: Bruno Penas/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Arsenal would be willing to offer Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior the biggest contract in the club's history in order to complete a mega transfer deal. Vinicius, 26, has emerged as an ambitious target for Arsenal, who are closely monitoring developments regarding his uncertain future in Madrid.
The winger has entered the final year of his contract with Real, who are due to pay him a lucrative loyalty bonus if he stays for the 2026-27 season. Los Blancos risk losing Vinicius on a free transfer next summer if they don't tie him down to a new deal.
A report from the Telegraph states that his eye-watering salary of £400,000 per week wouldn't be a problem for Arsenal. In fact, Emirates chiefs would look to improve those figures in an effort to strengthen their chances of signing the Brazil international.
Vinicius' prospective wages would dwarf those of Arsenal's current highest earner, Bukayo Saka, who signed up to a £365,000-a-week contract in February which will rise each season. The Gunners want to build on their Premier League title win and go one step further in the Champions League, having lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in last season's final.
Left wing is a position which Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen, having sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas. Arsenal have already brought in Christos Tzolis, who can play on both sides of attack, for £34m but don't plan on stopping there.
PSG's Bradley Barcola has been looked at in detail, with Premier League rivals Liverpool also interested in the Frenchman. However, both clubs have been quoted £145m.
Arsenal and Real haven't engaged in direct contact over Vinicius, who Jose Mourinho would be opposed to selling at the start of his second spell in Madrid. But concerns linger over how an attack containing both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe can work at the highest level.
MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 21: Jose Mourinho coach of Real Madrid at Ciudad Real Madrid on July 21, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Maria Jimenez - Real Madrid/Real Madrid)
Jose Mourinho wants to keep Vinicius Junior(Image: Maria Jimenez - Real Madrid/Real Madrid)
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Since Mbappe joined Real from PSG in July 2024, weeks after they secured an historic La Liga and Champions League double with Vinicius at the heart of their success, they've failed to win a trophy and been through three permanent managers. Meanwhile, arch enemies Barcelona have won five of the six domestic trophies available.
Real will play their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday, hosting fellow Madrid-based side Leganes. Vinicius won't be involved, as he's still on holiday after the World Cup.