Arsenal's squad are reportedly convinced that Mikel Arteta will complete a sensational move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, following the imminent signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United. According to Spanish outlet AS, the dressing room already considers the Brazilian's arrival a 'done deal'.
Summer spending spree
After a quiet start to the transfer window, with only Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier arriving at the Emirates, Arsenal are now stepping up their business. The Gunners are close to securing Guimaraes, identified by Arteta as his top midfield target, after Newcastle finally relented following initial reluctance to sell.
While negotiating for Guimaraes, Arsenal have also expressed interest in Vinicius, who is in a contract dispute with Real Madrid. With the 26-year-old entering the final year of his deal, Madrid may sell to avoid losing him for free next summer. The Spanish club values him at £128m (150m euros), and he earns just under £300-a-week.
Arteta's pitch
Arteta has reportedly assured Vinicius of his desire to bring him to north London, outlining his ambitions to lure the forward away from the Bernabeu. Although Vinicius prefers to stay in Madrid, Arsenal's squad are said to be confident he will join, with players even mentioning him in discussions with sporting director Andrea Berta.
However, pundit Jamie Carragher has downplayed the likelihood of the transfer. Speaking on the Football Ramble podcast, he said: 'I think the Vinicius Junior thing is really interesting in that I do think they need something like that to win the Champions League... but I just can't see Arsenal winning it because those players… think of the teams that win the Champions League, think of the guy up front or the winger, it's top-five players in the world.'
Carragher added: 'Is Arteta almost giving up something that he loves in terms of these wingers just permanently running back and helping the full-back, being in this block on the edge of their box… saying, "I've actually got to roll the dice here… OK, I've got to lose a bit of that to gain a bit of that", and then there's still no guarantee. I'd love to see it. I think we lack top players in the Premier League right now, I do.'
He noted the lack of Premier League attackers at the World Cup semi-finals, citing Anthony Gordon's departure, Jude Bellingham in Spain, and Harry Kane in Germany. 'For us to get somebody I think would be amazing. I just can't see it happening. He's surely doing it to get a new contract at Real Madrid.'
Vinicius has scored 128 goals in 376 appearances for Madrid, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.
