Vinicius Junior has returned to pre-season with Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior has returned to pre-season with Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Andrea Berta has been urged to splash the cash on Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid winger has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his frontline, but it's proven difficult to wrap up a deal.
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. The Brazil international would prefer to extend his stay in the Spanish capital, but Los Blancos' unwillingness to find a middle ground in renewal negotiations has begun to shift sentiment.
It's said that, barring a late change of heart, the latest contract offer from Real Madrid will be the 'final' proposal. football.london understands that Vinicius Jr wants an improved share of image rights to better reflect his role in the squad, akin to Kylian Mbappe.
Arsenal could trump Los Blancos in this department, with Premier League clubs typically more lenient. As it stands, there's a considerable gap in valuations between Real Madrid and the 26-year-old, who's yet to decide on his future, leaving the door wide open for the Gunners to secure his signature.
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Higher-ups at the Emirates Stadium are said to be closely monitoring the situation, and they are ready to do what it takes to get a deal over the line if Vinicius Jr becomes available. As it happens, readers of football.london are in the same boat!
Over the last couple of days, we asked you whether Arsenal should sign the Brazilian, and thousands of you made your feelings absolutely crystal clear. From nearly 3,000 responses, 77 per cent of you said that the Gunners should splash the cash, while just four per cent of you claimed that the jury is still out and Berta should prioritise other areas of the pitch.
Interestingly, some had an issue with the finances involved in the potential transfer of Vinicius Jr. As many as 13 per cent of you said the winger would cost too much money, while six per cent urged the Gunners to bide their time and sign him free of charge in the summer of 2027.
From January, clubs outside Spain, such as Arsenal, will be eligible to begin pre-contract talks with Vinicius Jr over a free transfer when his current deal expires at the end of the season. Unless he were to suddenly decide to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos will be forced to make a difficult call.
They will have to weigh up whether they would rather risk losing Vinicius Jr for free in June 2027 or cut their losses and cash in either this summer or in the winter. Although it sounds like a great piece of business for Arsenal on paper, there's always the danger that Real Madrid buckle and table a far more lucrative contract between transfer windows.
Equally, Florentino Perez could dig his heels in and simply refuse to let Vincius Jr go until his contract expires, leaving Mikel Arteta without a player he needs to take the Gunners to the next level. In some respects, having already lost Leandro Trossard, Arsenal could regress if they don't land the Brazilian.
Vinicius Jr in training with his Real Madrid teammates
Vinicius Jr in training with his Real Madrid teammates(Image: Getty Images)
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So, for that very reason, according to Spanish outlet AS, the Gunners boss has taken matters into his own hands. The report claims that Arteta has recently spoken directly with Vinicius Jr, outlining his long-term vision for the club to become a dominant force in Europe.
It's said that Arteta also told the Brazilian that the Arsenal project would largely revolve around his addition, offering him a talismanic role in the squad. As it stands, it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard's words wooed Vinicius Jr, but one thing is certain: both he and readers of football.london want Berta to sign him at all costs...