Two days ago, The Athletic’s David Ornstein stated Arsenal are exploring a deal for Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior this summer.
Since then, there’s been multiple claims in the UK covering Arsenal’s desire to bring him to the Emirates.
The Premier League winners reportedly want to offer him £400k [€468k] per week in salary to tempt the forward. Last week, we relayed news his agent had contacted Liverpool, who could sign him for free in 2027.
Denial of contact from Arsenal
Monday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo relays these claims and then shares their own take on Arsenal’s interest in the 26-year-old.
José Mourinho’s side have no news of the Gunners’ interest in the attacker. Vinícius Júnior and his entourage are also unaware of their desire to sign him.
His contract expires in 2027, and Los Blancos’ intention is to offer him an extension. The Brazil international will return to the club for pre-season this week, after representing his country at the World Cup.
Real Madrid will then hold talks with him for a renewal, which has stalled since last year. He wants €30m per year while the Spanish giants are offering €20m.
Different take on Arsenal
Another Spanish newspaper, AS, also relays claims made elsewhere about Mikel Arteta’s side and shares their take.
Arsenal are the ‘last big club to approach the player to lure him away’ from the La Liga side.
It’s not clear whether they contacted his agent or Real Madrid. Either way, this contradicts Mundo’s claims that both are unaware of the Gunners’ approach.
This may not matter because Real Madrid want to offer him an extension and the South American wants to continue.
Vinícius Júnior’s agent Frederico Pena also manages Yan Diomandé, and the RB Leipzig star is closing in on a move to the Madrid club.
The representative and the Brazilian will hold talks with Los Blancos, to find out their plans and the role he will have under José Mourinho. The manager is keen to keep him.
Renewal seems likely
AS claim the attacker is asking for €20m net per year [Mundo said €30m] and this is €5m more than his current salary.
The newspaper states: ‘The player has felt undervalued due to some events in recent months, such as Real Madrid’s interest in Julián Álvarez and then in Olise, the Bayern Munich star.
‘Vini was instrumental in the club’s last two Champions League titles, and after that, Bellingham arrived, which diminished his role, and later Mbappé arrived. However, the Brazilian has never lost his importance to the team’s play. He remains vital. His intention is to renew his contract, and he will make it easy.’
To sum it up, there are conflicting claims in Spain of Arsenal’s interest and approach to lure him away from Real Madrid.