Vinicius Junior will not return to Real Madrid’s training this week as speculation continues to grow over his future at Benabéu. Arsenal are rumored to be making a sensational summer move for the Brazilian international, who is in the final year of his contract with Los Blancos.
The 26-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract with Real Madrid, was granted three weeks’ rest after Brazil’s World Cup campaign and missed Madrid’s first two weeks of work under returning manager Jose Mourinho. Contract talks have resumed to keep Vinicius at the club, with reports in Spain claiming Arsenal could offer the club a “record-breaking” contract to lure Vinicius to the Emirates Stadium.
Vinicius was expected to return to Real Madrid’s pre-season training this week, but the Daily Mail reports that this is not the case. News of interest from Arsenal comes just days before he is due to return to his training base in Valdebebas, with sources confirming that the interest is very genuine and that Vinicius is firmly at the top of their wish list.
The winger entered the final year of his existing contract this summer and could sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club from January 1. Still, the Gunners are prepared to make ends meet this summer if a move is possible. Whether a contract can be concluded depends on whether the parties can agree on the terms of the contract extension.
Since Arsenal’s interest became public, reports in Spain have become increasingly bullish about Madrid’s chances of signing the Brazilian. Diario AS: “All roads lead to the rebirth of Vinicius.”
The Madrid-based sports daily admitted that “it remains to be seen what attitude and decision will be taken regarding Vinicius,” but added that Madrid “wants to quickly resolve whether Vinicius will continue playing or leave the club.”
They also point out that “extending his current situation while his contract is in the countdown phase conflicts with the thinking of the leadership team.” Nevertheless, both Madrid and Vinicius are understood to share the same objective of securing a new contract.
The two parties were said to have come very close to a deal last summer, and many thought a deal was a foregone conclusion because the margins of negotiation were so close. Vinicius reportedly lowered his wage demands after last summer’s Club World Cup.
Talks were reportedly at an advanced stage before they were abruptly called off. In the end, neither side was prepared to make enough concessions to seal the deal.
Vinicius is said to be asking for a salary increase of around £4m a year, which would take his net annual salary to around £17m. Under the UK’s 45% additional tax bracket, you would need to earn around £600,000 a week to bring home that figure.
This is approximately double Bukayo Saka’s current income including bonuses. However, it has emerged that Vinicius’ weekly wage demands are actually closer to £500,000. Arsenal will be hoping that suggestions that Vinicius will ‘facilitate’ his contract renewal with Madrid are not accurate. Even if talks break down, the Gunners will only become more determined to pursue the Brazilian winger.
