Jose Mourinho has told Arsenal transfer target Vinicius Jr to enjoy himself, be positive and continue playing his style of football. The 25-year-old is back training in the Spanish capital after his break following Brazil's World Cup exit, but the focus has instead been on his future amid significant interest from the Gunners.
Contract talks and Real Madrid's stance
Vinicius has just one year remaining on his current contract. While there has not been a breakthrough in extension talks for some time, that could be about to change with new discussions set to take place on Wednesday. As such, Arsenal could be about to learn a definitive transfer outcome over his future, with Real's stance clear that he either agrees to extend or is sold this summer.
In the meantime, the forward has been putting in the hard yards alongside his Real team-mates under Mourinho's watchful eye. In a video posted to Real's official social media channels, he lifted the lid on exactly what the new Los Blancos chief expects from him.
What Mourinho expects
The 26-year-old said: "He wants me to be just as I've always been - happy, positive and playing my own style of football." A large number of Real Madrid's recent posts have centred on his comeback, with a 'train with Vini Jr' montage shared on Monday. In the latest clip, Vinicius goes on to discuss the training sessions he has taken part in so far and looks ahead to the forthcoming season — comments that strongly suggest he has no desire to leave.
Real chiefs appear to be the ones pushing for a departure, with the contract proposal that has been available for some time falling short of Vinicius' salary expectations. Since his return, there have been claims that an enhanced offer has been tabled which would see him earn approximately €22m (£18.9m) per year, though even that remains insufficient.
Arsenal's pursuit
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and head coach Mikel Arteta, who is now said to be heavily involved in negotiations, seem prepared to meet his financial requirements. Vinicius Jr stands as the club's primary attacking target, with Arteta eager to bolster his squad that may be somewhat depleted during the opening weeks of the 2026/27 campaign owing to the World Cup.
Multiple midfielders could be absent for the initial fixtures, but the Premier League champions appear poised to secure an addition that will enhance Arteta's choices. Following his belated return to Newcastle United pre-season training, Arsenal are close to finalising a deal for Bruno Guimaraes. Progress in that transfer situation comes after Everton launched a bid for Christian Norgaard, with that deal also anticipated to be concluded this week.
