Arsenal will have to pull out all the stops if Andrea Berta manages to sign Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid this summer.
16:00, 28 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are unable to offer Vinicius Jr the perfect welcoming gift ahead of a potential transfer to Arsenal. The Real Madrid star has recently been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta looks to further bolster his frontline.
football.london understands that the Gunners are interested in signing Vinicius Jr, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of the season. Arsenal are willing to break the bank for the Brazil international if he becomes available.
This week, Los Blancos are expected to open talks with Vinicius Jr as they look to resolve his future in the Spanish capital. While Andrea Berta closely monitors the situation, Arteta will work hard to ensure the 26-year-old receives a warm welcome if a deal is agreed.
Regardless of how much time, effort, and money are invested in a care package, Arsenal will be unable to let Vinicius Jr select his preferred shirt number. The Brazilian has worn the number seven at Real Madrid in each of the last three seasons, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, and Emilio Butragueño.
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During this period, Vinicius Jr has helped the Spanish giants win La Liga, the Champions League, the Supercopa de España, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Although the number seven shirt has become part of the winger's brand, he won't be able to don the jersey at Arsenal without the permission of Bukayo Saka.
The Hale End graduate has worn the number seven shirt for the Gunners since 2020/21. During this period, Saka, who has four years left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, has helped Arteta's side win the Premier League and two Community Shields.
With the number seven shirt not up for grabs, Vinicius Jr will have to settle for something else. The Brazilian has previously taken a liking to the number 20, having worn it for Flamengo and Real Madrid.
He's also had spells in the number 10 shirt for his country. Unfortunately for Vinicius Jr, neither shirt number is available at Arsenal either; unless someone leaves, the only vacant numbers below 30 are currently 15, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, or 28.
Ultimately, it's unlikely that Saka will surrender the number seven. During an interview with Ian Wright back in May 2023, the England international explained how he managed to bag the iconic jersey.
"[Edu's] actually the person who helped me when I was getting my number seven," said Saka. "Because I had the conversation with him, and I told him which numbers I liked, and I couldn’t believe it.
"He just said, ‘Yeah, okay. We can give it to you. I was like this (surprised) - like ‘You want to give me the number seven?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, of course’. That was one of the moments I realised how much the people at this club believe in me. It was a nice moment."
At the time, back in July 2020, Saka said: "I was so excited to get it. It’s stuff you dream of, and to think of the legends who have had it is such an honour.
"I liked the number growing up because some of the best players in the world have worn it. It shows how much confidence they have in me, and I want to repay their faith and hopefully can write my own history in that shirt."
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