Arsenal explore moves for Vinicius Jr and Alvarez amid transfer speculation
Arsenal are reportedly exploring a deal to sign Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid. The Brazil international has one year remaining on his contract at the Bernabéu. This potential move is understood to be in its early stages as Mikel Arteta seeks a significant signing following the club’s recent Premier League title win.
Vinicius Jr, who is 26, scored 22 goals for Real Madrid last season and four for Brazil in the World Cup. His future at Real Madrid is uncertain after José Mourinho’s return as manager, and the club could consider cashing in on the player rather than risk losing him for free in a year.
However, new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho would reportedly oppose any approach from Arsenal for Vinicius Jr this summer. Mourinho has informed the club that he wishes all of his key players to remain. Mourinho signed a three-year deal at the Bernabéu. He had previously faced criticism for comments made after Vinicius Jr accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League match in February. Prestianni was subsequently banned for six matches after admitting to using homophobic language towards Vinicius Jr.
In addition to Vinicius Jr, Arsenal are also prepared to pursue Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, 26, from Atletico Madrid. Reports suggest Arsenal are ready to break the British transfer record to secure Alvarez. Other players on Arsenal’s radar include RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain.
Other Transfer Speculation
Inter Milan are reportedly interested in acquiring Argentina defender Cristian Romero, 28, from Tottenham. Meanwhile, Real Madrid had an £85.4m bid for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande rejected by RB Leipzig. The 19-year-old Diomande is also a target for other prominent clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester City.
Manchester United‘s apparent lack of urgency in making a concrete offer for France midfielder Manu Kone, 25, is reportedly causing frustration for AS Roma. Furthermore, Juventus are exploring a move for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, 31. The Italian club has held discussions with the Portugal midfielder’s representatives.
Chelsea have rejected a third bid from Como for England defender Trevoh Chalobah, 27. Napoli is also showing interest in Chelsea’s former France centre-back Benoit Badiashile, 25. Julian Brandt, the 30-year-old Germany midfielder, has received offers from both Leeds United and Ajax after leaving Borussia Dortmund as a free agent.
Activity in Other Clubs
Nottingham Forest has submitted an improved £17.5m bid for Feyenoord’s Dutch right-back Givairo Read, who is 20. West Ham has rejected an offer from Brentford for Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, 21, stating he is not for sale. Middlesbrough is interested in signing Manchester United’s Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek, 22, who spent last season on loan at Bristol City.
Arsenal has already strengthened their attacking options with the £34m signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge this week. Morgan Rogers was also identified as a target, but Arsenal was reportedly not prepared to pay more than £80m for the England international, who has since joined Chelsea in a £117m deal, marking a British record fee. Tzolis followed Piero Hincapié, who made his temporary deal permanent, and goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was out of contract at Leeds, as Arsenal’s third addition. Bruno Guimarães could also move to the Emirates, with Arsenal keen on signing the Brazil international.
After Newcastle’s 1-1 pre-season draw at Gateshead on Saturday, manager Eddie Howe commented on Bruno Guimarães’s future, stating the club does not want to lose its best players.
Source: bbc.co.uk