There’s an uneasy relationship between Real Madrid and Vinicius, despite him being one of the club’s biggest stars. This has alerted Arsenal to the potential of signing the Brazilian this summer.
Rather than this coming as independent thought from Andrea Berta, it’s likelier the player’s agents contacted the Gunners. Shortly before the Arsenal claims really got going, the agents had been contacting PremierLeague clubs to drum up interest.
A week ago, Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon explained the situation.
“Vinicius’ representatives, of course, have to do their job.”
“To find out what the position would be of other clubs that might be interested in signing him, whether in 2026 or 2027. Primarily, we’re talking about Premier League teams.
“During those preliminary discussions, there was one club that clearly responded positively. That club is Liverpool. But the numbers only made sense looking ahead to 2027.
“If he becomes a free agent in 2027, not only will the Premier League be paying attention, but I imagine Bayern and PSG will be too.”
Arsenal have taken the bait
In the following days, Arsenal were pushed to the front of the queue. On Friday, it was relayed they’ve contacted Roc Nation Sports, who represent the Brazilian.
There’s no certainty whether Vinicius and his camp are completely open to Mikel Arteta’s side or the Premier League, or just using the links to get more money out of Real Madrid.
That tactic, if it is such, is wearing thin at Los Blancos.
Florentino Perez does not like being messed around, and will not appreciate Vinicius’ camp playing games.
Big message from Saturday’s Marca
When Real Madrid want to send a very public message, it usually comes in the form of a Marca front page.
That’s the case today, with ‘MADRID STANDS FIRM ON VINI’ shouted out. Inside, it’s followed up with ‘Ultimatum from Madrid to Vinicius’.
Essentially, Madrid have had enough. After months of talks with the player’s representatives, they’ve made their final offer and that is that.
There will be no further increase and not even any further meetings between the parties.
Vinicius either accepts what is on the table or Real Madrid will work to sell him. To Arsenal or elsewhere.
As the Spanish newspaper explains: ‘According to Marca, the club has already informed the player’s representatives that the latest offer presented is final. There will be no further increase or another round of negotiations. The position is clear: if Vinicius accepts, he will renew. If he doesn’t, Real Madrid will open the door to a sale this summer to prevent the Brazilian from entering the final year of his contract and potentially leaving for free later on.’
Should he stay and refuse to renew, then there’s a plan in place for that. Yan Diomande is on the verge of arriving from RB Leipzig and that would allow Madrid to bench Vinicius as some kind of punishment.
Colossal salary wanted
Vinicius wants €30m after tax per year, as per Marca.
That’s similar to what Kylian Mbappe is paid by Real Madrid. However, Mbappe arrived as a free agent and with the status of one of the best players in the world. The Frenchman was always going to get a colossal wage.
Vinicius arrived from Flamengo, as he’d just turned 18, for more than €40m. Real Madrid then played a large part in his development.
Los Blancos clearly do not see the two scenarios as similar. Whether Arsenal would go anywhere near €30m after tax is highly questionable.
As it stands, the likelihood is that Vinicius’ camp have been using the Gunners, as they’ve tried with others, to pressure Real Madrid.
If they’re not careful, they’ll push their hand too far and it will be Florentino Perez looking to drum up interest. Given they signed the player in 2018 and his cost has already been fully amortised, any fee would go down as total profit.
The opportunity is there for Arsenal, even if the club was initially brought in as a prop.
Sportwitness
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