Arsenal make sensational Vinicius Jr switch transfer after Mikel Arteta approval
Arsenal are reportedly exploring a deal to sign Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, who is out of contract next summer, as the Gunners are said to be at an early stage of interest in the Brazil international
Vinicius Junior impressed at the World Cup and could be off to Arsenal this summer(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Arsenal are interested in signing Vinicius Junior this summer before the Brazil international’s contract expires at the end of next season.
Vinicius, 26, has yet to sign a new contract with the Spanish club. Therefore, the Brazilian is set to leave as a free agent next summer if no renewal is agreed before then.
Madrid understandably do not want to lose him for nothing and could therefore cash in during this transfer window if no extension is signed anytime soon. Another factor in their thinking is a substantial loyalty payment that Vinicius Jr is due to receive this coming season.
Vinicius Junior is on an expiring contract at Real Madrid(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
As initially revealed by The Athletic, negotiations between the two clubs have not commenced. There is genuine interest in a transfer, although the Brazilian is not currently the Gunners’ primary target.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have made enquiries regarding Yan Diomande. The club has also monitored Bradley Barcola, Mika Godts and Kerim Alajbegovic, with Chelsea particularly eager to secure the latter’s signature.
Morgan Rogers was similarly amongst those prospects before the Blues outmanoeuvred Arsenal to capture him by finalising a £117million agreement. The Gunners are believed to have assessed the England international at approximately £80million before being blown out of the water by their rivals.
Arsenal are interested in signing Vinicius Junior(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Claims surrounding Vinicius surface a day following suggestions that Madrid are in dialogue with RB Leipzig concerning a prospective arrangement for Diomande. It’s reported that the Bundesliga outfit have turned down an £85million offer from them.
Liverpool are understood to have tabled the same figure earlier this summer. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be monitoring the Ivory Coast international.
Madrid’s pursuit of the 19 year old this summer would pit both him and Vinicius against each other for game time as right-footed wingers. That is, unless they now fund the acquisition by offloading their Brazilian star.
Vinicius Junior faces an uncertain Real Madrid future if Yan Diomande signs this summer(Image: Denis Doyle, Getty Images)
Diomande predominantly featured on the right flank for Leipzig last season. Nevertheless, during his earlier stint in La Liga, the winger almost exclusively operated down the left for Leganes.
Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae also chiefly deploys Diomande from that position. He was particularly impressive in that role during their four matches at this summer’s World Cup.
That happens to be the same flank that Vinicius has claimed as his own for the majority of his eight-year stint at Madrid following his switch from Flamengo. Yet, despite 128 goals in 376 outings across all competitions, it seems an exit could well be in the offing.
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