Arsenal are tracking the situation of 26-year-old Brazilian international Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid as his poor form continues.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Vinicius Junior remains a target for Arsenal after the North London club pursued his signature in the summer transfer window. The Gunners are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a left-winger next year, and they have their sights set on the 26-year-old Real Madrid attacker.
Per Fichajes, the player’s “tanking value” has forced Real Madrid to consider a possible sale, and this update comes in the wake of recent comments by Jose Mourinho, who suggested that he should have joined Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Vinicius Junior and his progress at Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior has established himself as one of the world’s best players since joining Real Madrid from Flamengo in July 2018. The 26-year-old arrived in Spain with a burgeoning reputation of being a world-class attacking prodigy after his exploits in age-group football in Brazil. Los Blancos viewed him as Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term successor, and he has become a cornerstone of their attack.
The Brazilian international has made 385 appearances for Real Madrid thus far, scoring 129 goals and providing 103 assists. However, he has struggled to make his mark this season, managing only one goal and three assists in ten outings. The international break did not produce any reprieve either, and the return to club football was brutal, as a red card against Villarreal last weekend earned him a four-game ban.
What next?
Despite struggling in the first two months of the 2026/27 season, Vinicius Junior has retained popularity in the market. Arsenal, who came close to signing the player in the summer, have continued to keep tabs on him. Mikel Arteta bolstered the attacking unit by signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge earlier this year, but the Gunners need another winger after selling Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
With Tzolis the only specialist left-sided winger remaining, Arsenal must pursue wide-forward reinforcements in January. The Real Madrid attacker, despite his struggles this season, brings an impressive overall record of 129 goals and 103 assists for Los Blancos and would offer the pace and productivity the Gunners crave from the flank. His arrival would complement Bukayo Saka’s style of play, adding further depth and attacking threat to both flanks.
With pressure growing on Vinicius and Real Madrid increasingly open to a sale, a belated arrival at the Emirates is not out of the question. With Real Madrid increasingly receptive to a sale in January, the deal turns on price; Arsenal’s €150 million ceiling versus the Merengues’ asking rate.