Vinicius Jr has been pictured arriving for crucial contract talks with Real Madrid, as Arsenal wait to pounce.
Contract standoff
The Spanish giants are keen to tie Vinicius down to fresh terms, with his current contract set to expire next summer. The Brazil star currently earns around €17.5million a year, and is reportedly looking for closer to €30m to sign an extension.
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid have offered around €22m annually as they look to reach a compromise with the player, who returned to pre-season training on Monday.
Talks underway
Le Journal du Real posted a video on X on Wednesday morning of Vinicius arriving at Real Madrid’s training ground, and was said to be accompanied by his representatives. It is set to be a crucial few days for Madrid, Vinicius and Arsenal, who are reportedly growing in confidence that a deal could be struck.
Real Madrid are expected to sanction a sale if Vinicius Jr does not agree a new contract, as they did not want to risk losing him on a free transfer next season. ESPN report that Los Blancos will remain firm on its latest offer of €22m annually as they have no plans to increase it. Jose Mourinho is said to have called Vinicius to underline his desire to keep him.
Rejection and price tag
An interesting transfer twist overnight on Tuesday from Cadena CER claim that Madrid’s ‘best and final’ offer has been rejected by Vinicius Jr. More will emerge following Wednesday’s meeting.
ESPN Brazil claim that Madrid would demand a transfer fee of around €150m (£128m) to sell Vinicius, which would see the player comfortably become Arsenal’s club’s record signing, eclipsing the £105m paid to West Ham for Declan Rice in the summer of 2023. Furthermore, the Brazil international would become the most expensive player in Premier League history by £3m as Liverpool splashed £125m on Alexander Isak from Newcastle last summer.
