Arsenal are considering a surprise move for Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior. The London club have made contact regarding the Brazilian, whose current deal at the Bernabéu has only one year left to run.
Talks over a possible transfer remain at an early stage. Vinícius scored 22 times for Real last season and added four goals for Brazil at the World Cup, and Mikel Arteta views him as the kind of high-profile addition who could strengthen the squad after Arsenal’s first Premier League triumph in over 20 years.
At 26, Vinícius matches the profile Arsenal are seeking. Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola are also being considered.
Arsenal expanded their attacking options this week by signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m. Morgan Rogers was another player under consideration, but Arsenal were reportedly unwilling to exceed £80m for the England international, who has since completed a British-record £117m transfer to Chelsea.
Vinícius faces an uncertain future in Madrid following José Mourinho’s return. Real may choose to sell the forward rather than risk allowing him to leave without a transfer fee when his contract expires next year.
Mourinho, who has agreed a three-year contract at the Bernabéu, faced criticism over remarks made after Vinícius alleged that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni had racially abused him during a Champions League match in February. Mourinho, then in charge of Benfica, suggested that incidents “always” occur in games involving Vinícius. Prestianni later received a six-match suspension after acknowledging that he had directed homophobic language at the Brazilian.
Tzolis became Arsenal’s third new arrival, following Piero Hincapié’s permanent move after an initial temporary spell and the signing of goalkeeper Illan Meslier, whose Leeds contract had expired.
Arsenal are also interested in bringing Bruno Guimarães to the Emirates. Following Newcastle’s 1-1 preseason draw with Gateshead on Saturday, Eddie Howe said: “We have no desire to part with our strongest players. I have spoken with Bruno, as you would expect. He is an outstanding person, and we have held several positive discussions before, during and after the World Cup.
“I cannot say what the future holds for Bruno. Other people will continue to speculate about that.”
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