Vinicius Junior future: Arsenal target set to stay at Real Madrid after positive contract talks over new deal
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior set to stay at Bernabeu following positive contract talks with club bosses; Arsenal are interested in forward who is in final 12 months of contract; Vinicius enjoys strong relationship with new head coach Jose Mourinho
Wednesday 5 August 2026 23:07, UK
Real Madrid have improved their contract offer to Vinicius Junior amid interest from Arsenal.
Fresh talks took place between Real Madrid and Vinicius at the club's training ground on Wednesday. Those talks about extending his deal, which expires in less than 12 months, were described as positive.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this summer that Vinicius is staying at Real Madrid and that same message was reiterated following these latest meetings.
- Transfer Centre LIVE! | Arsenal news & transfers🔴⚪
- Arsenal fixtures & scores | FREE Arsenal highlights▶️
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺
Sky Sports News has been told there is already a great relationship between Vinicius and his new head coach Jose Mourinho.
This has played a big role in the positive direction of the talks over his future this summer. Mourinho is adamant that he wants Vincius to be one of the protagonists in his Real Madrid team.
Arteta: Arsenal 'optimstic' about transfers amid Vinicius Junior news
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are "optimistic" about their transfer window plans as he wants his team to "attack every possible title" this season.
The Premier League champions are set to complete a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes this week, but a move for Vinicius Junior has hit a setback
"We're even more excited," Arteta said after his side's 3-1 loss to Real Betis in Dublin. "We are going to attack every possible title as that's the ambition we have.
"We will go from strength to strength - whether it's the players we have, to take them to a different level, or with the market that is still open to recruit as well. We're optimistic about it.
"All the work we've done during the summer is to understand what we need to do to win again and create a dynasty in this football club at the end."
Asked if a deal for Newcastle's Guimaraes is done, Arteta replied: "I cannot talk about any news. You sometimes get it faster than me. I've been focused on the match so I don't know what's happened.
"I cannot talk about any player that is not an Arsenal player."
Arsenal agree £75m fee for Guimaraes
Arsenal have agreed a £75m fee with Newcastle for their captain Bruno Guimaraes. He has been given permission to travel for a medical.
Guimaraes told Newcastle bosses earlier this summer that he wanted to join Arsenal if a suitable offer arrived.
Arsenal's opening bid was rejected but the 28-year-old now looks set to join the Premier League champions.
Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle in 2022 from Lyon for £40m, has made 195 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 31 goals.
Newcastle had been keen to ensure Guimaraes, who has two years left on his contract plus a club-held option for a third, remained at the club but if this deal goes through as expected, they will have made more than £240m from player sales this summer.
Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona in a £69.3m deal and Spurs signed Sandro Tonali for £100m, while manager Eddie Howe also departed in what has been a turbulent summer at St James' Park.
