Arsenal remain in the market for a marquee forward signing this summer, having been beaten to a deal for Morgan Rogers by London rivals Chelsea.
The Gunners have allowed the consistent Leandro Trossard to leave the club for a new venture at Turkish side Beşiktaş. Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge for £34 million but a more seasoned attacker is still expected through the doors at the Emirates Stadium.
Paris Saint-Germain man Bradley Barcola has been touted as an option after he turned down a new contract at the Parc des Princes, with RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande another potential target.
Real Madrid are frontrunners to sign Diomande, which could open the door for Vinicius Jr to leave the Bernabeu, which would be of interest to the Gunners.
Arsenal handed Vinicius Jr blow
Vinicius JrDanilo Fernandez / Fotoarena/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
The Standard Sport reported on Saturday that Arsenal had added Vinicius Jr to a shortlist of attacking targets, but were yet to make a formal approach to Real Madrid.
However, less than 24 hours after that report, AS now claim that the Brazil international is going to snub Arsenal interest in favour of a new contract with the Galacticos.
The 26-year-old 'world-class superstar' is ready to fight for minutes against Diomande with a year's worth of contract talks now set to be fruitful. Vinicius Jr is entering the final 12 months of his contract this summer with either a sale or renewal before the end of the window inevitable.
It's claimed that contract talks are set to resume next week with both the club and player determined to reach an agreement.
Bradley Barcola spurns PSG contract extension
Bradley Barcola (France) celebrates after scoring vs EnglandPaul Childs via Reuters
That comes as another blow to Arsenal, just days after Chelsea confirmed the arrival of Rogers. Andrea Berta will have to turn attention elsewhere, although Vinicius Jr's £400,000 a-week wages and £140m valuation would always have proven somewhat problematic for the Gunners.
Whoever Arsenal target, they are likely to end up battling a Premier League rival once again, with Liverpool also in the market for a wide man. The Reds had also been linked with Vinicius Jr, and will have been dealt the same blow after the contract update.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
While Vinicius Jr is to commit to a new deal, Barcola has ended talks with PSG over an extension. The forward has another two years left on his deal, but the French outfit are willing to cash in on the star.
The Champions League winners are wanting more than £100 million for the player, which could price out the Gunners, who were unwilling to offer more than £80 million to Aston Villa for Rogers.
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