Arsenal are prepared to break their wage structure to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, with reports confirming the club would offer the Brazilian forward a contract exceeding anything previously given to a player in their history. The 26-year-old winger has entered the final year of his deal at the Santiago Bernabéu, and Real Madrid face the real possibility of losing him on a free transfer next summer if a new agreement is not reached.
According to the Daily Mirror, Arsenal are ready to offer Vinicius a weekly salary surpassing his current £400,000, making him the highest earner at the Emirates. That would put him ahead of Bukayo Saka, who signed a contract worth £365,000 per week in February that includes annual increases. The Spanish club are also obligated to pay Vinicius a loyalty bonus if he remains for the 2026/27 season.
Why Arsenal Want Vinicius
The left wing is a priority area for manager Mikel Arteta following the departure of Leandro Trossard, who joined Besiktas. Arsenal have already signed Christos Tzolis for £34 million from Norwich City—a player capable of operating on either flank—but the club has made clear they intend to do more business in the position, as reported by The Standard.
The Gunners are also motivated by their Champions League ambitions, having reached last season's final before losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain. Adding Vinicius to an already competitive squad is seen as the kind of move that could help them go further in the competition.
How Vinicius Compares With Arsenal’s Current Attackers
A look at the numbers from last season illustrates what Vinicius would bring to Arsenal's attack. Across all competitions for club and country, he produced 41 goal contributions in total. By comparison, Victor Gyökeres led Arsenal's attackers with 27, followed by Saka with 26, Trossard with 24, Gabriel Martinelli with 19, and Kai Havertz with 15.
For Real Madrid specifically during the 2025/26 campaign, Vinicius ended the season with 22 goals and 14 assists across 53 appearances in all competitions. His output underscores why Arsenal view him as a transformative addition to a frontline that sometimes lacked a consistent left-sided threat.
Mourinho’s Stance and Real Madrid’s Dilemma
Despite no direct talks having taken place between Arsenal and Real Madrid, the Gunners have internally discussed the financial commitment required to make a deal happen. Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, at the start of his second stint in charge, is understood to be against selling the winger. However, there are lingering questions at the club about how an attack featuring both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé can function effectively at the top level.
Earlier reports indicated Mourinho’s firm stance against any potential transfer, as Vinicius is a key player in his long-term plans at the Santiago Bernabéu. Yet with only one year left on his contract and no renewal in sight, Real Madrid may be forced to cash in rather than lose him for nothing in 2027.
