Some Real Madrid players believed Vinicius Junior was going to join Arsenal during the summer transfer window.
According to Cadena SER journalist Anton Meana, the Brazilian came significantly closer to leaving Madrid for north London than was publicly understood at the time.
Sources consulted by the Spanish outlet claim several members of the Madrid dressing room had effectively assumed Vinicius would depart for Arsenal before the transfer ultimately failed to materialise.
The revelation adds considerable weight to reports of Arsenal’s ambitious pursuit of the 26-year-old during the summer.
It was reported in July that Arsenal had made an approach regarding Vinicius, whose Madrid contract was entering its final year.
Arsenal’s interest was described as being at an early stage then, with the Premier League champions exploring the possibility of adding another marquee attacker to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Cadena SER now claims the prospect of a transfer became sufficiently realistic for members of the Madrid squad to expect their teammate to leave.
The Spanish report describes Arsenal’s proposed move as strategic, with the potential signing viewed as capable of significantly increasing the club’s global profile.
Vinicius ultimately remained at the Santiago Bernabeu, but his start to the new campaign has subsequently attracted scrutiny in Spain.
The Brazil international struggled during Madrid’s recent 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid, failing to register a goal, assist or shot on target.
His performances have also prompted criticism from sections of the Bernabeu support, with Cadena SER reporting that Vinicius has already been whistled by Madrid fans this season.
That represents a significant change in circumstances for a player who scored 22 times for Madrid last season and added four goals for Brazil during the World Cup.
Meana suggested the uncertainty surrounding Vinicius’ future may also have affected the forward mentally following such a significant summer decision.
For Arsenal, the latest information offers a fascinating indication of just how serious their interest became.
The Gunners ultimately completed the window without the Brazilian, but Arteta has since committed his own long-term future to the club after guiding Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Whether Arsenal ever revive their pursuit remains uncertain, but the suggestion that Vinicius’ own teammates expected him to move to north London indicates this was considerably more than routine transfer speculation.