Arsenal have big plans in the transfer market this summer as Mikel Arteta targets Vinicius Junior as the Brazilian faces difficult with Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior left winger of Real Madrid and Brazil celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Sevilla FC and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 17, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Arsenal aren't only eyeing Vinicius Junior(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are firmly in the race to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, but are continuing to pursue a deal for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. The Argentina international was among Mikel Arteta's primary targets at the outset of the transfer window.
Last month, it was claimed that the north London club were weighing up a move that would have seen Viktor Gyökeres and a transfer fee put forward to Atletico. The ex-Manchester City star favoured a move to Barcelona, but that does not appear to be forthcoming.
The prospect of a stunning double swoop for both Vinícius and Álvarez could be alive as the Gunners attempt to strengthen ahead of their Premier League title defence.
According to The Independent, Arsenal are still actively working on a deal to bring Álvarez to north London. It has also been reported that the Gunners are feeling confident about their chances of securing Vinícius.
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Should both deals come to fruition, Arteta's front three would comprise Vinícius, Álvarez and Bukayo Saka, with either Eberechi Eze or Martin Ødegaard operating in the hole behind the striker. There is also considerable quality in reserve across the wide positions.
Summer acquisition Christos Tzolis would provide ideal backup for Vinicius down the left flank, while Noni Madueke would probably rotate with Saka on the right, mirroring last season's arrangement. Such a double swoop would give Arsenal one of the finest attacking units in world football.
Arteta recently emphasised that strengthening his squad with elite talent was essential if they were to maintain their challenge across four competitions. He said: "From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individual.
Julian Alvarez of Argentina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Arsenal also want Julian Alvarez(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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"We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully, very soon, we can start to put things in a very concrete way."
Reflecting on the previous campaign which delivered the Premier League trophy and saw Arsenal reach both the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals, he continued: "This has to be the start and this has to be the standard.
"Excellence has to be our standard and this has to drive to attack the future. The way we behave daily with more and more determination and ambition because we've shown that we've got it. Now we have to show that we belong to this level. We want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.
"My ambition is that daily we nail the standards and the requirements to be better the following day. That is the thing that we have to control, and maintain that ambition, that discipline, that commitment and that positive energy through 11 months. That is the responsibility that we all have. If we all achieve that, we are going to be in a really strong position in May."
Meanwhile, a deal to bring Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal from Newcastle appears to be edging ever nearer, with his future potentially set to be resolved this coming week.