Arsenal could soon become the winners of the transfer window if their planned business comes off. Pre-season is under way after the Gunners' match against Girona, but attention has shifted to developments behind the scenes, particularly around Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior.
The forward has emerged as a high-profile target, with Arsenal receiving genuine encouragement that he could leave the Bernabeu for the Emirates. He has just a year left on his contract and is weighing up whether to extend, leave on a free in 12 months, or sign a lucrative deal in north London. The club have already made Piero Hincapie's move permanent and brought in Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier.
Arteta's three additional targets
Arsenal are understood to be targeting three more signings this summer. Vinicius Junior remains Mikel Arteta's primary objective to bolster the attack. An arrangement on personal terms with the Brazilian is expected should Real Madrid fail to meet his demands and the forward decides against renewing at the Bernabeu.
Whether Vinicius arrives or not, the north Londoners will recruit a new winger before the window closes. Arsenal will also pursue a new midfielder, believed to be Bruno Guimaraes, following a reported £80m agreement with Newcastle. The Athletic claim a central defender is being targeted to cover for the injured William Saliba.
Vinicius Jr trick repeated for Ferran Torres
The speculation around Vinicius appeared to come from nowhere, but Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta is believed to have monitored the 26-year-old's contractual position for some time. He noted Vinicius had entered the final year of his deal, and a similar approach is now being considered for another forward: Barcelona's Ferran Torres, who is also set to become a free agent next summer. Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo suggests the Gunners have made enquiries about the Spain striker, who netted the winning goal in last month's World Cup final.
Barcelona wish to extend Torres' contract, which expires in June next year, but talks have yet to produce an agreement. That has put pressure on the Catalan club to sell rather than risk losing the 26-year-old for nothing next summer. Much like the Vinicius scenario, it works in Arsenal's favour as they can propose a reduced transfer fee. Torres can operate on either flank or centrally, making the prospective acquisition an attractive one.
