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Vinicius Junior## Arsenal's interest in signing Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid means there may well be a role for Gabriel Magalhaes to play in any potential transfer this summer
12:39, 27 Jul 2026Updated 12:39, 27 Jul 2026
Gabriel Magalhaes has a strong relationship with Vinicius Junior from playing alongside him for Brazil – and it could yet help influence his potential transfer to Arsenal.
The Gunners are exploring a move for Vinicius to improve their left-hand side during this summer transfer window. There is a market opportunity as the 26-year-old is in the final 12 months of his contract and talks over a renewal have yet to yield an agreement.
Real Madrid are keen not to lose Vinicius on a free transfer next summer, and Arsenal are now understood to be investigating the feasibility of a deal. It is also understood that the idea has the club's hierarchy's approval.
Their interest emerges less than three weeks after Gabriel and Vinicius played together for Brazil against Martin Odegaard's Norway in the World Cup round of 16. They started all five matches for Carlo Ancelotti's side this summer.
The pair have been almost ever-present for Brazil since the Arsenal defender's international recall approaching three years ago. Despite being in squads together during Gabriel's first call-ups in November 2021 and early 2022, they did not play together until October the following year.
They have since shared a pitch 16 times. Those appearances primarily came during World Cup qualifying ahead of this summer.
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The tournament in North America was the second one in which they were both in the Brazil squad. Their other summer spent together was the most recent Copa America in 2024.
They have become increasingly supportive of each other on social media since that quarter-final exit in the United States two years ago. Gabriel evidenced that on Instagram four months later.
Vinicius finishing second to Rodri in the Ballon d'Or voting led to him posting a photo of his Brazil team-mate with a gold medal emoji and the words "melhor do mundo". That phrase translates to "best in the world".
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A month later, after Gabriel scored in Arsenal's 5-1 win over Sporting, Vinicius commented "Ele pegaaaaaa" on his Instagram post, which appears to be a term of endearment in Brazil.
Gabriel returned the favour last February, calling Vinicius a "machine" after his player of the match performance against Manchester City in the Champions League knockout round playoffs. The forward assisted a 92nd-minute winner that Jude Bellingham scored for Madrid in their 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.
Later that same season, Vinicius wished Gabriel well after the defender sustained a season-ending hamstring injury in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Fulham. Commenting on his international team-mate's Instagram post about the setback, he said: "Get well soon my brother!!!"
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