Vinicius Junior ends Arsenal speculation and agrees new contract with Real Madrid – Ornstein

6 Aug 2026 18:43 BST | 3 min read

Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Vinicus Junior has reached an agreement to renew his contract with Real Madrid, ending speculation linking the winger with a move to Arsenal.

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The Brazilian international was into the last year of his contract and had so far failed to reach an agreement over an extension, which led to reports that Madrid were ready to cash in on him this summer if talks continued to stall.

Arsenal had been willing to meet Vini Jr’s salary demands and offer Real Madrid a substantial fee but the Spanish giants held renewed talks with their star player in recent days to try and trash out a deal.

The Athletic have now revealed that a breakthrough has been reached over a new contract, believed to be a six-year deal, although complete terms have not been confirmed as of yet.

Real Madrid are now said to be preparing to make a formal announcement after a meeting on Wednesday which saw the club make Vinicius an improved offer.

It is believed that Vinicius was holding out for a salary of around €30 million plus a significant renewal bonus – the latter of which was understood to be the sticking point – and an agreement has now been reached.

Vinicius Junior agrees new Real Madrid contract

Vinicius' new contract means that Arsenal will miss out on signing the 26-year-old, having given the green light to pursue a deal for him if an agreement could not be agreed with Madrid.

© IMAGO - Vinicius Junior is set to stay at Real Madrid.

Los Blancos had told Vini to make a decision – either sign the terms offered or inform the club of his decision to leave this summer or become a free agent in 2027.

Vinicius was understood to be open to a move to Arsenal but the preference was always to sign an extension with Real Madrid, whom he joined in 2018.

The forward will now form part of a frontline under Jose Mourinho that will include Yan Diomande after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal with RB Leipzig to sign the 19-year-old for a fee believed to be in excess of €130m.