According to The Telegraph, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is prepared to block a possible summer move from Premier League champions Arsenal for forward Vinicius Jr., and has told the club’s hierarchy that he plans to keep all of his star players.
Arsenal’s interest in the 26-year-old Brazilian international is believed to be genuine, with the North London club aiming to respond to manager Mikel Arteta’s call for squad investment after their UEFA Champions League final defeat in May.
Although Arsenal have held internal discussions, there have been no formal club-to-club talks between the two sides.
Vinicius also poses an administrative issue for Real Madrid, since his current contract is due to expire at the end of June next year, and talks over an extension have made only limited progress.
There are also lingering questions over his internal relationship with Mourinho after the Gianluca Prestianni episode last season.
Mourinho wants to keep Vinicius. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Even so, Mourinho is completely firm that Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham must remain together in his squad.
The Portuguese coach, who took charge of his first match of his second Madrid spell on Friday in a behind-closed-doors game against Alcorcon, wants his core group to be fully excluded from any transfer sales.
At the same time, Real Madrid are concentrating on a move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the player whose 2024 Ballon d’Or win over Vinicius led to a club boycott, while they are also keeping tabs on 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
From Arsenal’s point of view, completing a deal for Vinicius would involve major hurdles beyond Mourinho’s strong resistance.
Arsenal wish to sign Vinicius. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The forward’s current wages are understood to be around £400,000 per week.
Bringing in such a massive salary would make their coming contract extension talks with Declan Rice more difficult, along with the ongoing managerial contract negotiations with Arteta.
In addition, raising funds through player sales remains a key administrative target for the English champions, who spent £268 million in transfer fees in the previous summer window.
So, there are several obstacles ahead if Arsenal choose to push on with their pursuit of Vinicius, with Mourinho very much determined to keep the forward at Real Madrid.
LiveChattanooga FC4Philadelphia Union II0
90+2'
Watch
LiveCarolina Core FC0Chicago Fire FC II4
62'
Watch
LiveNorth Texas0Los Angeles Football Club 20
5'
Watch
Ventura County FCSan Jose Earthquakes II
Watch
TrabzonsporEintracht Frankfurt
Watch
Portland Timbers 2Real Monarchs
Watch
FC Cincinnati 2New England Revolution II
Watch
