Arsenal's interest in Vinicius Junior has sparked concerns whether the Gunners are just a pawn in a game to get the Brazilian a better deal at Real Madrid
Vini Jr remains locked in contract talks with Real Madrid despite links to Arsenal
Vini Jr remains locked in contract talks with Real Madrid despite links to Arsenal(Image: Guillermo Martinez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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It should be no surprise that there is some suspicion among the Arsenal faithful when it comes to the transfer saga involving Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian has one season remaining on his current deal, and Real Madrid are in talks to find a compromise.
Arsenal, football.london understands, are alive to the situation, and sources suggest they are ready to pounce if the opportunity presents itself to land one of the world’s best players. This has been agreed upon throughout the different hierarchical levels at the club, from ownership to manager Mikel Arteta.
Yet there are concerns from some that Arsenal are simply a pawn in this ongoing scenario. It stems from a fear that Arsenal, whose interest is certainly real, are being 'used' to help Vinicius Junior secure better terms with Real Madrid.
Arsenal’s interest offers Vini Jr’s position more leverage and puts pressure on Los Blancos to go above their current expectations in order to prevent the star winger from leaving. This is a completely believable and reasonable concern.
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However, football.london understands that this is more circumstantial than anything baked in the finer details of these talks. The player’s preference is to remain with Real Madrid, we know this from the ongoing talks. If this wasn't the case, we’d have seen a far quicker end to talks.
There is a feeling from those around the club that the player wants to be put in the same bracket financially as Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman is the highest-paid player at the club, with Real Madrid able to offer such exorbitant wages given that he left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract.
Image rights also feature prominently in these discussions. Le10sport claimed that Mbappe agreed that he would keep 80% of his image rights, whereas Vinicius Junior is believed to have roughly a 50-50 split with Real after his contract renewal in 2022, AS claims.
Players in England typically keep control of their image rights in their entirety unless stated otherwise in their contract. Were Vinicius, therefore, to move to Arsenal, this would be more beneficial to Vini Jr unless Real Madrid surrenders a larger portion of the player’s image rights in these new renewal talks.
Arsenal, for now, have to be patient and await the outcome of these discussions. Yes, the club’s interest in the player gives negotiating power to Vini Jr with Real Madrid, but this is the case with any player of this ilk in this situation.
Should Arsenal walk away through fear that they might yet aid in helping Vinicius Junior extract more from talks with Real Madrid over a contract? No, otherwise why ever try and secure one of the world’s best in a similar situation.
Currently, Arsenal’s chances of landing the Brazilian are not in the ascendancy. Until the conclusion of talks ends with no agreement found and the player then open to seeking other options, that will remain the case.
But Arsenal are alive, football.london are told, and ready to make a move to get a deal done should it present itself. This remains a delicate situation with all options open and for Arsenal to be a legitimate destination is in itself a signal of just how far things have improved in North London these past five years.
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