Vinicius Jr is the dream signing for Arsenal, and there appears to be optimism a deal can be done with his Real Madrid contract situation a huge factor
13:19, 27 Jul 2026
Vinicius Jr can fulfil his desire of simply wanting to be loved if he joins Arsenal from Real Madrid. The Brazil international continues to be linked with a sensational transfer to Emirates Stadium after the Gunners lost out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.
Though Arsenal were against spending over their £80million value of Rogers, a deal for Vinicius would almost certainly exceed that amount.
However, football.london understands a deal for Vinicius is seen as a market opportunity with his current contract set to expire next summer.
According to BBC Sport, Real have tried to get him to agree fresh terms and more extension talks talks were opened on Monday, but there is yet to be a breakthrough.
They have also claimed that while he is receptive to agreeing a new deal in the Spanish capital, he wants to feel loved. And he would almost certainly get that at Emirates Stadium if he joined with their report stating that, internally, he is considered the top target with Arteta 'smitten' at the idea of signing Vinicius.
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There is, however, an understanding that any deal would be complicated, even with there being a financial willingness to make it happen if it is possible.
Arteta has managed to convince past transfer targets that a move to Arsenal was the best option, with races won for the likes of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and David Raya.
Given how meticulous the 44-year-old is, he will have likely prepared a presentation for how Vinicius would fit into his squad.
Without a doubt, he would become Arsenal's talisman which is a label he does not currently have at Real. Following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, he has become their main man and it could be argued Jude Bellingham is also a bigger name.
Following the arrival of Jose Mourinho, the La Liga giants have been very busy in the transfer window. Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Denzel Dumfries have all signed as free agents while Marc Cucurella has joined in a £51.8m deal from Chelsea.
Real are now targeting Manchester City star Rodri and have agreed a sizeable fee with RB Leipzig for winger Yan Diomande. If both of those big-money moves go through, a marquee sale could be required and Vinicius may be sacrificed, especially as he could depart for nothing next summer.
As for Arsenal, they are yet to spend significant funds with Christos Tzolis, Illian Meslier and Piero Hincapie as their three permanent arrivals.
Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard have also left the club while the likes of Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard, Ben White and Ethan Nwaneri may also be sold.
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