Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior as they continue their search for attacking reinforcements ahead of the new season.
Although no formal talks have taken place between Arsenal and Real Madrid, the Gunners’ interest in the Brazil international is said to be genuine, The Leader Nigeria reports.
Vinicius is among several attacking players being monitored by the North London club. Other names on Arsenal’s shortlist include Julian Alvarez, RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are said to be making progress in their pursuit of Diomande, with the Spanish giants stepping up efforts to sign the RB Leipzig attacker.
Vinicius, 26, has entered the final year of his contract with Real Madrid. If an agreement cannot be reached on a new deal, the Spanish club could be open to selling him rather than risk losing the Brazil international for free next summer.
The situation has also been linked to Real Madrid’s interest in Diomande.
Sky Sports, Talk Sports and other reports said the Spanish club had an £85.4m bid rejected by RB Leipzig for the 19-year-old Ivorian winger, while Liverpool and Arsenal have also shown interest.
A report carried by Yahoo Sports said the developments could provide a boost to Arsenal’s hopes of signing Vinicius, with the Brazilian potentially open to a move if Real Madrid complete a deal for Diomande as his replacement.
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Diomande has reportedly intensified, with talkSPORT reporting that the club is advancing its efforts to sign the winger after its initial bid was rejected.
The report said Diomande had initially preferred a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but the lack of a completed agreement between PSG and Leipzig had left room for Madrid to pursue the deal.
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith described a potential move for Vinicius as a “jaw-dropping addition” for Arsenal.
“It’s well known Arsenal are aiming to strengthen their left-wing options this summer – but a deal for Brazil ace Vinicius Junior would be a jaw-dropping addition,” Smith said.
“Vinicius Jr has one year left on his current Real Madrid contract so this could be the window of opportunity for potential suitors to make their move, as Real try to tie the winger down to a new deal.”
Vinicius was runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting and is regarded as one of Real Madrid’s leading attacking players.
He has also been named one of the club’s captains for the new season, according to Brazilian outlet ge, which reported that he would wear the armband in the absence of Federico Valverde.
The report also noted that Vinicius’ relationship with new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho had been in focus.
“However, it is understood the player and head coach have been in touch since an incident last season which saw Vinicius Jr abused by Mourinho’s Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni and that the pair were ready to start this new campaign together with a clean slate.
“But with Arsenal’s interest being reported, there is now the possibility Vinicius Jnr will be kicking off the 2026/27 season in the Premier League,” the report said.
Arsenal have been looking to strengthen their left-wing options this summer.
The club sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for £17m and signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m, while Gabriel Martinelli scored one Premier League goal last season.
Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius remains exploratory, with no club-to-club contact reported, while Diomande is being pursued by Real Madrid and has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
A move for Diomande could therefore have implications for the transfer market around Vinicius, although no deal has been agreed for either player.
