EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal ready to go all in if Vinicius Junior becomes available

Updated: 27 Jul 2026 07:00 BST | 3 min read

Steve Kay | Editor

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Arsenal are ready to break the bank to sign Vinicius Junior if Real Madrid put the Brazil international up for sale.

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FootballTransfers has been informed by those close to the deal that the financial package to sign the 26-year-old superstar is not viewed as an obstacle by Mikel Arteta’s side – on the condition that Vini makes it clear that he is interested in a move to North London.

The sources added that the club’s hierarchy, including co-chairman Josh Kroenke, see the forward as the rare type of player who is capable of elevating the Gunners’ level and helping them to back-to-back Premier League titles as well as the Champions League.

Current ETV

Vinícius Júnior

F (CL), M (L)

Real Madrid

Vinícius Júnior

F (CL), M (L)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€96.2M - €117.6M

Vinicius Junior will command a club-record transfer fee and salary, but Arsenal’s stance over the deal is understood to be simple: if a player of his calibre is available and ready to join the club, they will do whatever it takes to complete a deal.

Arsenal have been prepared to execute this strategy before.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that when Kylian Mbappe was nearing the end of his PSG contract before moving to Real Madrid as a free agent, the Gunners were willing to put together a package capable of fighting for his signature.

The France international ultimately picked Real Madrid, but this was on the basis of his long-standing love of the Bernabeu side and served to demonstrate the London side’s willingness to back exceptional opportunities when they arrive.

Vinicius falls into that same category. He is in a long-running contract dispute with Real Madrid, and should talks over a new deal break down, the Premier League champions are positioning themselves to make a move. The former Flamengo youth only has a year left on his deal, so time is pressing for Los Blancos before clubs can open talks in January.

While there is no suggestion that a transfer is imminent, Arsenal have made their position clear. Should Vini Jr become available, they will have no hesitation in exploring a deal, with even the record-breaking nature of the finances involved in the deal not enough to put them off.