Vinicius Jr has turned down Real Madrid's latest contract offer as speculation continues to rise around his future with Arsenal leading the race
Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to Arsenal
Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal target Vinicius Junior has rejected Real Madrid's latest contract offer of £18.8million per-season. The 26-year-old has less than 12 months to run on his current deal, and Real are desperate to tie him down to fresh terms.
But, according to Spanish outlet El Larguero, Vinicius has turned down Real's newest proposal of around £362,000 per week until 2031, and Arsenal are leading the race to sign him should he decide not to extend his contract.
It's added that Real and his representatives are set to meet face-to-face on Wednesday to discuss the renewal.
As well as that, Arsenal head coach Arteta is said to have held talks with the Brazil international around a potential move to the Emirates Stadium and explained how the player would fit in if he decides to join the Gunners.
Now, in a new update, former Real forward and sporting director Pedja Mijatovic has expressed his concern about Vinicius' future in Madrid and believes Arsenal are prepared to 'break the bank' to sign him.
"Now we know what Madrid is offering him , and Vinicius has rejected it. At this point in the summer, with one year left on his contract, this whole situation clearly tells me that Vinicius isn't planning to renew," ex-Serbia and Montenegro international Mijatovic told El Larguero.
Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr(Image: Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
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"He can ask for 30, 35, or 25, it doesn't matter. At this point, it doesn't matter anymore; he's already considering other offers, which he obviously has because he's a fantastic player. Arsenal are very interested in signing him. I have reports from England that Arsenal are planning to break the bank to sign him.
"If he doesn't want to renew, we'll have to make a significant transfer fee. We'll see what happens, but by August, things are still uncertain. If you can't convince him to renew, we'll have to consider getting a lot of money for him."
Despite the speculation around Vinicius' future, he reported back for pre-season as scheduled on Monday.
Los Blancos posted on X to confirm that the ex-Santos man was present at Hospital Blua Sanitas Valdebebas, a hospital in Madrid, to conduct medical testing alongside new teammate Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz.
Soon after, Real Madrid then posted another update, and this time it was Vinicius back on the grass and in first-team training at the club's Valdebebas training ground.
He was pictured running in between poles and passing the ball, as new manager Jose Mourinho put his team through their paces.