Arsenal have been left to ponder their next steps, with Vinicius Jr heading towards a contract renewal with Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior is expected to sign a new deal with Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior is expected to sign a new deal with Real Madrid
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Vinicius Junior is highly likely to sign a contract extension with Real Madrid, football.london understands.
The news comes as a blow to Arsenal, who were very keen to sign the player. However, the conviction of their interest prompted Real Madrid to act.
Talks this week, after Vini Jr's return to training, with the club hierarchy and manager Jose Mourinho, have brought about a change. Initially, Los Blancos were standing firm that they would not improve their most recent offer.
However, the stance of manager Mourinho, combined with a desire to keep the player with the very realistic chance of an exit to Arsenal becoming more likely, saw the club fold and improve their offer to the player.
As a result, football.london understands that while not yet agreed, with details still to be worked out, the player is expected to remain with the Spanish club.
It leaves Arsenal disappointed, having been hopeful that a historic deal was realistic, but as previously reported, they remained a secondary character to the main story of whether the Brazilian would choose to stay.
Questions will now linger whether Arsenal are able to sign a top forward during this window. Julian Alvarez is another high-profile player Mikel Arteta is particularly keen on, however, the Argentinian is understood to have his heart set on a move to Barcelona.
football.london understands Juventus knocked back an enquiry from Arsenal for Kenan Yildiz earlier in the window. The Turkish international is considered untouchable, but whether a massive fee could tempt a sale, especially after the arrival of Kerim Alajbegovic to the Turin-based club, remains to be seen.
Liverpool are leading the race for Bradley Barcola who Arsenal believe is valued by Paris Saint-Germain far higher than any fee they would be willing to pay. Yan Diomande is on his way to Real Madrid. Arsenal made an enquiry for the Ivorian earlier in the window, but again, the price tag deterred them from a move.
Antonio Nusa is a name to keep an eye on between now and the end of the window, having failed a medical at Brentford in the past, there are some concerns over the player’s viability, and RB Leipzig would again command a massive fee. Mika Godts looks set to potentially replace Barcola at PSG. He was another player the Gunners had an interest in.
Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United remains undecided. But ultimately, Arsenal face the reality of having seemingly missed out on Vini Jr and of lacking obvious candidates to move for.
There is a swell of excitement around the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes. However, sporting director Andrea Berta and his team will be under pressure now as to where the story goes regarding attacking reinforcements between now and the end of the window.