Vinicius Jr looks set to agree a lucrative new contract with Real Madrid that will deal a major transfer blow to Arsenal.
The Gunners were ready to launch a blockbuster move for the Brazil forward this month to follow the £75million deal with Newcastle for international team-mate Bruno Guimaraes, which has now been finalised.
However, their hopes hinged entirely on Vinicius Jr being unable to come to terms with current club Madrid over an extension to his current contract, which has less than a year left to run.
There has been something of a stand-off between the two parties over recent months, making a parting of the ways at the Bernabeu appear increasingly possible as Arsenal waited to potentially take advantage.
What were widely billed as crunch final contract talks took place between Vinicius Jr’s representatives and senior Real Madrid figures at the club’s Valdebebas training base on Wednesday, after which there were conflicting reports as to the outcome.
Some outlets stated that Arsenal were only growing in optimism over what would surely be the biggest signing in their history as the key differences between the player and Madrid remained, while others said the meeting was largely positive.
It was then widely reported on Wednesday evening that Madrid and returning boss Jose Mourinho were now increasingly confident of Vinicius Jr staying at the club after an improved contract offer was tabled, with an answer expected within hours.
Fabrizio Romano now reports that Vinicius Jr is indeed closing in on a new deal with Madrid following positive talks, with a verbal agreement almost in place and only the final details left to be ironed out after Mourinho personally pushed for him to remain.
Spanish outlet Okdiario have claimed that a bumper five-year extension for Vinicius Jr, 26, will run until the summer of 2031 and see him earn a net annual salary of approximately €25million, plus agreeing a small increase in image rights.
Vinicius Jr joined Madrid as a teenager from Brazilian club Flamengo in a £40m deal in 2018 and has gone on to become one of the club’s and global football’s biggest stars, scoring 128 goals and providing 100 assists in 375 total appearances across all competitions.
It remains to be seen who Arsenal will pivot to next in their search for a statement attacking signing to follow the £34m arrival of Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge last month.
