Vinicius Junior was “a name on the table” for Arsenal during the summer window, as confirmed by assistant manager Miguel Molina.
Few Arsenal fans would have expected the club’s search for a top-level left winger to lead them to Vinicius Junior. Once news broke of the Gunners’ interest in the Brazilian, supporters were immediately excited by the possibility of seeing him at the Emirates for the Premier League champions.
The chase attracted plenty of media attention, with some reports even claiming Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Vinicius at one stage. In the end, though, the balance tipped in favour of the Brazilian staying at Real Madrid, as many expected.
Mikel Arteta was reportedly driving the pursuit from Arsenal’s side, but the move never came to fruition. Eventually, the Brazilian signed a new deal with Real Madrid, which effectively ended Arsenal’s hopes.
Miguel Molina confirms Arsenal’s Vinicius Junior interest
Arteta has never spoken publicly in detail about the chase, and the club never officially confirmed they had pursued the winger. However, in comments that appeared on Marca, Arsenal assistant manager Miguel Molina confirmed that the Brazilian was “a name on the table” as part of the club’s summer plans.
When asked, “During the summer, the Arsenal coaching staff discussed Vinicius, didn’t they?” Molina replied, “Yes, of course. Obviously, I can’t ignore reality, but it was a name that was on the table, yes.”
Arsenal would have been a much stronger attacking force with the Brazilian on board had they managed to bring him to the Emirates. There were suggestions that the club were prepared to commit a huge financial package, not only in wages but also in the fee needed to prise him away from Real Madrid.
The Gunners ended the window without a marquee left-wing signing, although they did bring in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Arteta also lost established attackers Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli during the window, and the marquee winger was expected to replace one of them.
Arsenal could be back in the market ahead of the January transfer window as they look to add a top-level attacker for the Champions League knockout stages. For now, Arteta must make do with the likes of Tzolis and Eberechi Eze on the left wing at least until the winter window.
