Arsenal have opened talks over a stunning move for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, as the Brazilian’s contract situation at the Bernabeu continues to create uncertainty.
The 25-year-old’s current deal in the Spanish capital expires in 2027, and while club president Florentino Perez has no desire to sell, the situation could force his hand if Vinicius does not sign new terms.
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all held talks with the winger’s camp about a potential move within the next year.
The interest from Arsenal comes on the back of a season in which Bukayo Saka delivered below his own high standards, managing 11 goals and seven assists across the campaign.
Saka had previously netted 20 times in the 2023/24 season, making this term’s output a noticeable step down for one of the club’s most important players.
Manager Mikel Arteta made his intentions clear in the aftermath of Arsenal’s defeat in Budapest, signalling that major decisions were coming this summer.
“We start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level,” Arteta said. “And we’re going to have to show that ambition. We are more than capable of doing it, but it’s going to demand us to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
Vinicius scored 22 goals and registered ten assists in the 2025/26 season, continuing a remarkable run of scoring 20 or more goals in each of his last five campaigns.
In terms of per-90 league statistics, the Brazilian posted 0.6 goals, 2.4 shots, a 61% shot accuracy, and 2.8 completed take-ons, comfortably outpacing Saka in several key attacking metrics.
Club legend Thierry Henry has described Vinicius as “the best left winger in the world,” a claim that is difficult to argue against given his consistent output at the highest level.
Arsenal have also been pursuing Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with talks already under way, though Villa have valued the player at around £100m, making that deal equally complex.
A transfer fee and player wages for Vinicius are expected to represent a significant obstacle, though Arsenal’s ambitions this summer appear considerable following their Premier League title win.
The Gunners have never won the Champions League, and signing a player of Vinicius Junior’s calibre would dramatically increase their chances of ending that wait.