Arsenal explore move for Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid

By Callum Ashford — 25 July 2026 — 3 min read

Arsenal’s Interest in Vinícius Júnior

Arsenal are reportedly exploring a potential deal to sign Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid. The Brazil international has one year remaining on his current contract at the Bernabéu. This inquiry is understood to be in a formative stage as Mikel Arteta seeks a significant signing for the club.

Vinícius Júnior, who scored 22 goals for Real Madrid last season and four for Brazil at the World Cup, is a target for Arsenal. The 26-year-old winger fits the profile of player Arsenal are looking to bring in, following their first Premier League title in over two decades.

However, new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho is reportedly opposed to any approach from Arsenal for Vinícius Júnior this summer. Mourinho has communicated to the club that he wishes for all of his key players to remain at Real Madrid.

Transfer Market Activities

Arsenal’s interest in Vinícius Júnior comes amidst other transfer activities. The club recently bolstered their attacking options with the £34m signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Tzolis is one of several new additions, following Piero Hincapié, whose temporary deal was made permanent, and goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who joined after his contract at Leeds expired.

Other players on Arsenal’s radar include Atlético Madrid‘s Julián Álvarez, RB Leipzig‘s Yan Diomande, and Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal are reportedly prepared to break the British transfer record to sign the 26-year-old Argentina striker Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid.

Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers was also identified as a target for Arsenal, but the club was reportedly not willing to pay more than £80m for the England international. Rogers has since joined Chelsea in a £117m deal, which is a British record fee.

Uncertainty at Real Madrid and Other Targets

Vinícius Júnior’s future at Real Madrid is considered uncertain following José Mourinho’s return to the club. Real Madrid could potentially look to sell the player rather than risk losing him for free when his contract expires in a year’s time. Mourinho, who signed a three-year deal at the Bernabéu, previously faced criticism for comments made after Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica‘s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League tie. Prestianni was subsequently banned for six matches after admitting to using homophobic language.

Beyond Vinícius Júnior, Arsenal are also reportedly keen on signing Bruno Guimarães, another Brazil international, who plays for Newcastle. Following Newcastle’s 1-1 pre-season draw at Gateshead, manager Eddie Howe commented on Guimarães’ future, stating that the club does not want to lose its best players and that he has had conversations with the player. Howe added that speculation about Guimarães’ future is for others to address.

In other transfer news, Inter Milan are interested in signing Argentina defender Cristian Romero, 28, from Tottenham. RB Leipzig rejected an £85.4m bid from Real Madrid for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, who is also a target for Liverpool and Manchester City. Manchester United‘s apparent lack of urgency regarding a concrete offer for 25-year-old France midfielder Manu Kone is causing frustration for AS Roma. Juventus are exploring a move for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, 31, and have held talks with his representatives. Chelsea rejected a third bid from Como for England defender Trevoh Chalobah, 27. Napoli are interested in signing Chelsea’s former France centre-back Benoit Badiashile, 25. Julian Brandt, 30, has offers from both Leeds United and Ajax after leaving Borussia Dortmund as a free agent. Nottingham Forest submitted an improved £17.5m bid for Feyenoord‘s 20-year-old Dutch right-back Givairo Read. West Ham rejected an offer from Brentford for Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, 21, insisting he is not for sale. Middlesbrough are interested in signing Manchester United’s 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who spent last season on loan at Bristol City.