Real Madrid have reportedly placed a huge valuation on Vinicius Junior as doubts continue over the Brazilian's long-term future at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Arsenal keeping a close watch on developments after their recent Premier League triumph, Florentino Perez has now fixed a clear financial benchmark that any interested club would have to match to sign the star winger.

Perez fixes huge nine-figure asking price

According to SPORT, the Real Madrid president has set a strict financial demand for any possible sale of Vinicius Junior this summer. The Spanish club are said to want a package totalling €160 million, made up of guaranteed money and performance-based add-ons, before they would even think about letting their leading wide forward leave. The amount has been set both to ward off opportunistic interest and to underline the 26-year-old's standing as one of the top talents in world football.

The hierarchy at the Bernabeu do not want to part with such a marquee player unless they receive major compensation, especially as his current contract runs until June 2027. Although the club's preference is still to retain him, the absence of progress in talks over a new deal has pushed them into assessing the transfer market.

Arsenal in front in pursuit of Brazil star

Mikel Arteta is reportedly the driving force behind the interest from north London as he aims to add elite-level quality to his Premier League-winning squad. Even though the Gunners have already strengthened with the signing of Christos Tzolis, Arteta had earlier called for more ambition after the club's Champions League final disappointment last season.

Despite the serious interest from the Emirates Stadium, the move is still at an early stage and there has not yet been any formal contact between the two clubs. The report adds that Arsenal are waiting for a definite indication that the player will not extend his stay in the Spanish capital before making a record-breaking offer.

Contract stalemate drives exit speculation at the Bernabeu

The main reason behind this transfer story is the continuing deadlock over the forward's wages and his standing within the squad. It is understood that Vinicius is asking for a salary close to that of Kylian Mbappe, a demand that has created tension with Real Madrid's existing wage structure.

The report says both sides have agreed to hold a crucial round of discussions after the 2026 World Cup, but the mood remains strained. If those talks fail to produce a breakthrough, Real Madrid could be left with little choice but to consider formal offers so that his market value does not begin to fall as he moves closer to the final years of his contract.

Mourinho factor complicates Arsenal's chase

The arrival of Jose Mourinho has brought an added complication to any potential transfer, with the new manager strongly against selling Vinicius. The Portuguese coach wants to preserve the core of his squad and is understood to be keen on keeping the Brazilian together with other major names such as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

That resistance from the coaching side is at odds with the board's more practical financial stance if a contract renewal cannot be agreed. While Mourinho wants his strongest players available for the coming season, the €160m asking price and the player's own salary demands remain at the centre of the situation.