Vinicius Jr to Arsenal is a 'done deal,' says ex-Premier League manager

Updated: 27 Jul 2026 14:15 BST | 5 min read

Vinicius Junior, Vinicius Jr, Arsenal — © IMAGO

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Former Crystal Palace and Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew believes that Vinicius Junior’s proposed move from Real Madrid to Arsenal is a “done deal.”

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The Brazil international has emerged as a shock target for Mikel Arteta’s side in recent days and FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are willing to go all-in to secure Vinicius’ signature if he expresses his desire to move to the Emirates Stadium.

Current ETV

Vinícius Júnior

F (CL), M (L)

Real Madrid

Vinícius Júnior

F (CL), M (L)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€96.2M - €117.6M

We have been told by those close to the deal that the financial package to sign the 26-year-old is not viewed as an obstacle by Mikel Arteta’s side, despite the fact reports in Spain indicate that a club-record fee of at least €160 million will be required to finalise a deal.

The Arsenal hierarchy, including co-chairman Josh Kroenke, see Vinicius as a player capable of helping the club win back-to-back Premier League titles, as well as boosting their chances of securing a first ever Champions League triumph.

Sky Sports News report that Real Madrid are ready to re-open contract extension negotiations this week, in a bid to convince Vinicius to stay, but Pardew has revealed that he thinks a move to Arsenal is a “done deal.”

Vinicius Jr to Arsenal: ‘A done deal in my book’ - Alan Pardew

“What a signing that would be. I think this is a deal that will happen,” Pardew told talkSPORT (via Metro). “The reason I think that is he’s got history with Jose Mourinho, he’s at Real Madrid, he’s got a year left on his contract. They’ve been trying to get him to sign a new deal for a long time now.

“When you think about the other side of the coin, the new champions of the Premier League… you’re in London, you’re not in Newcastle, you’re not in Manchester, you’re in London.

“You’re playing for the champions Arsenal, they’ll put you in a house in Regent’s Park, you can fly in and fly out your family at will because you’ll have enough finance to do it. I think it’s a tempting proposition.”

Pardew continued: “The other thing you’ve got to remember is that the weak link of Arsenal’s team is wide left where there’s Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze hasn’t really filled that, it’s not really his role anyway.

“I said at the back-end of last year that if there’s one thing I’d do as an Arsenal manager now, it’s go massive on one individual like a real, real top talent like Vinicius Junior.

“Everything else is there, isn’t it? The stability of the team, the goalkeeper, the midfield, it’s all there. All they need to do is have that one player when it’s 0-0 at 87 minutes at the Emirates, he jinks past two and curls it in the top corner.

“Bukayo Saka was maybe that a couple of years ago, more so than last year, but they need somebody who can do it from the left. He’s your man.”

Pardew concluded: “That’s a done deal in my book, I think that’s going to happen, more so than Bruno Guimaraes. I think it’s their number one target and probably has been for a while.”