Vinicius Jr price tag issue and the Chelsea dilemma after Arsenal step up transfer chase
Vinicius Junior is in the last 12 months of his Real Madrid contract and Arsenal are now exploring a deal for the Brazil international this summer
Vinicius Junior is in the last 12 months of his Real Madrid
Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.
Vinicius, 26, is in the final 12 months of his contract and talks with Madrid over an extension have yet to result in any agreement. Therefore, they only have two transfer windows left to receive a fee before the Brazil international is due to become a free agent next summer.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions could have to pay well over £100million to get the Brazilian. Seven years ago, Real Madrid agreed a record-breaking £130million move with Chelsea for Eden Hazard despite the Belgian having just one year remaining on his contract.
Indeed, Chelsea’s determination to get the highest fee possible for Hazard may encourage Real Madrid to do the same with Arsenal. While they won’t want to lose Vinicius Junior for free next summer, they’ll also want to get the best price they can for the global superstar.
It is understood that Madrid are in line to pay Vinicius a significant loyalty bonus this coming season. Arsenal’s interest is described as being at an early stage, but it already has approval from within the club.
As first revealed by The Athletic, talks between the two teams have not taken place. football.london understands that there is interest in a move, though the Brazilian star is not currently the top target for the Gunners.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal have enquired about Yan Diomande. The club also scouted Bradley Barcola, Mika Godts and Kerim Alajbegovic, the latter of whom Chelsea are keen on signing.
Morgan Rogers was also among those candidates before the Blues beat Arsenal to sign him by agreeing a £117million deal. The Gunners are understood to have valued the England international at around £80million.
Reports about Vinicius are emerging a day after claims that Madrid are in talks with RB Leipzig over a potential deal for Diomande. It is stated that the Bundesliga club have rejected an £85million bid from them.
Liverpool are said to have offered the same amount earlier this summer. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international.
Madrid signing the 19-year-old this summer would leave both him and Vinicius in line to compete for minutes as right-footed wingers. That is, unless they finance the signing by selling their Brazilian.
Diomande primarily played on the right for Leipzig last season. However, during his previous spell in La Liga, the winger almost exclusively operated on the left for Leganes.
Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae also predominantly uses Diomande from that flank. He particularly impressed in the position during their four games at this summer’s World Cup.
That is the same side as Vinicius has made his own for much of the eight years spent at Madrid since signing from Flamengo. However, after 128 goals in 376 appearances across all competitions, it appears that an exit could be on the cards.
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