Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinicius Junior if they are unable to sign a new contract in Spain, but manager Jose Mourinho appears keen to prevent him from leaving.
Arsenal interested in signing Vinicius Junior (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal’s chances of signing Vinicius Junior look set to be ruined before they even begin, with manager Jose Mourinho poised to intervene. The Gunners are interested in the Brazil international, whose contract at the Bernabéu expires next summer.
The north London side are considering a move and the Gunners’ leadership has approved the transfer at all levels of the club. As first reported by The Athletic, there are currently no negotiations between the clubs.
Real would be keen to sell Vinicius for a significant fee rather than lose him for nothing when his contract expires. However, new manager Jose Mourinho appears to want a say.
The Telegraph reports that the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager has expressed his desire for all of his key players to remain at the club for his first season back, and plans to put a stop to any exits.
Mourinho returned to Madrid in the summer after spending time with Benfica in Portugal. Appointed as the replacement for Alvaro Arbeloa, the Spaniard joined Fulham after his departure.
Mourinho’s relationship with Vinicius was already in the spotlight ahead of his return to Spain. The Brazilian player was widely criticized for his comments after he was allegedly racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani during the Champions League clash between the two teams.
Asked at the time whether the winger made the crowd uncomfortable, Mourinho said: “Yes, I believe so.”
Jose Mourinho reluctant to let Vinicius Junior leave Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images)
“It should have been a crazy moment of the game. A great goal. Unfortunately, (he) wasn’t just happy to score that amazing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate with respect.”
“I told him (Vinicius) that when you score a goal like that, you just go home celebrating. When he was discussing racism, I told him that the greatest person in the history of this club (Eusebio) is black.”
“This club is definitely not racist. If there is anything in his mind that relates to it, this is Benfica. They (Vinicius and Prestianni) told me different things, but I don’t believe in either side. I want to be independent.”
Vinicius has been at Real Madrid since joining from Brazilian side Flamengo in 2018. Since then, he has played in 376 games and scored 128 goals, helping Real to win three league titles and two Champions Leagues.
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