Arsenal exploring potential deal for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior

By Oliver Harrington — 25 July 2026 — 4 min read

Arsenal are reportedly exploring a potential move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, should the Brazil international opt against extending his current contract in the Spanish capital. The 26-year-old is considered a prominent candidate among several options for the Premier League champions to enhance their attacking lineup.

While interest has been indicated, it is currently in an early phase, and there is no guarantee that it will progress into a finalised deal. As of now, no direct club-to-club discussions have taken place between Arsenal and Real Madrid. However, the concept of pursuing Vinicius Junior has received approval at various levels within the Arsenal organisation.

Vinicius Junior is currently in the final 12 months of his contract terms with Real Madrid, following eight campaigns at the club. Negotiations regarding a contract renewal have yet to reach a breakthrough. Real Madrid would likely be disinclined to lose the forward on a free transfer, particularly as he would be eligible for a substantial loyalty bonus in the upcoming season.

The winger has established himself as a key player for Real Madrid since joining from Flamengo in 2018. Throughout his tenure, he has made a total of 375 appearances for the club, contributing 128 goals and 100 assists across all competitions. In the 2025-26 season, he registered 22 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid.

During the recent World Cup, Vinicius Junior made an impression, participating in all five of Brazil’s matches and scoring four times. Brazil’s campaign concluded in the round of 16, where they faced a loss to Norway.

The potential acquisition of Vinicius Junior would represent a significant statement of intent from Arsenal. The club has already bolstered its wide attacking options with the signing of Christos Tzolis, following Leandro Trossard’s departure. Uncertainty continues to surround the future of Gabriel Martinelli.

Vinicius Junior, who was the 2024 Best FIFA Men’s Player and Ballon d’Or runner-up, possesses a combination of pace, creativity, and match-winning ability. At 26 years old, he is considered to be in the prime of his career.

However, there are several considerations surrounding a potential transfer. Real Madrid is not under pressure to sell the former Flamengo player unless contract negotiations completely break down. This suggests that any transfer fee would likely be substantial. Additionally, his salary expectations would position him among the highest earners in Arsenal’s history, requiring a significant financial commitment from the club.

Reports also indicate that Real Madrid is nearing a significant transfer for RB Leipzig’s Yann Diomande. The Ivorian youngster had previously been on Arsenal’s radar but now appears set to join the Spanish club instead. Elsewhere, Arsenal continues to test Newcastle United’s position regarding Bruno Guimaraes, and the search for defensive reinforcements is ongoing following William Saliba’s long-term injury.

Separately, Liverpool is also reportedly interested in Vinicius Junior, with a view to bringing him to Anfield in 2027, when his current contract with Real Madrid is set to expire. According to journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, who specialises in Real Madrid news, Vinicius Junior’s agents have been in contact with Liverpool amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his contract.

Alvarez de Mon stated on his YouTube channel that while Real Madrid is interested in renewing Vinicius’s contract and Vinicius is interested in staying, differences between the two parties have not yet been resolved. He suggested that unless Vinicius’s representatives see an increase in Real Madrid’s offer, they may not feel the need to agree to terms. The journalist also reported that Liverpool responded positively to initial enquiries about signing Vinicius Junior as a free agent in 2027.

During his time at Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior has achieved notable success, winning LaLiga three times, the Copa del Rey once, and the Champions League twice. In the 2025-26 season, Real Madrid finished second in La Liga, eight points behind Barcelona, marking their second consecutive season without a major trophy.

The 26-year-old prefers to play on the left wing and has been a key figure for Real Madrid. Alvarez de Mon expressed a growing conviction that a contract renewal this summer is unlikely, noting that factors such as how comfortable Vinicius feels with Mourinho, his performance, and the team’s overall function could be significant. Vinicius Junior has made 375 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 128 goals and providing 98 assists in all competitions.