Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid open to Arsenal move as Mbappe contract stand-off deepens

Real Madrid are prepared to consider selling Vinicius Junior to Arsenal this summer if the Premier League club follow up their initial interest with a substantial offer, amid a prolonged deadlock over the Brazilian’s new contract, according to reports in England.

The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that talks over extending Vinicius’ deal have stalled for the past 12 months, with no meaningful progress made. The forward, who is entering the final season of his current agreement with the Spanish club, is said to be demanding a salary close to that of Kylian Mbappe – currently the highest earner in the squad – as well as a significant loyalty bonus.

Real Madrid, for their part, are described as reluctant to risk losing the 24-year-old for nothing in the summer of 2027, when his existing contract is due to expire, and are therefore weighing up their options.

Mourinho unlikely to block potential exit

The report adds that head coach Jose Mourinho is not expected to oppose a transfer for Vinicius if the terms are right, despite his admiration for the player’s ability.

Mourinho is understood to believe that allowing Vinicius to leave could resolve a tactical dilemma that has confronted both Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso: how to fit Vinicius and Mbappe into the same attacking line. Both forwards prefer to operate in similar areas of the pitch and offer limited defensive contribution, a combination that has complicated attempts to build a balanced front line.

Strained relationship with Mbappe

According to the Daily Mail, relations between Vinicius and Mbappe off the pitch have also been less than smooth.

The French forward is said to have held his team-mate partly responsible for the pressure that led to Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, after Vinicius’ angry reaction to being substituted sparked a controversy that weakened the coach’s position. Alonso was later sacked, despite Mbappe attempting to back him by playing in the Spanish Super Cup while not fully fit.

The newspaper claims this episode has contributed to a difficult dynamic between the two attackers, adding another layer to Real Madrid’s calculations over Vinicius’ future.

Mourinho and dressing-room tension

The Daily Mail notes that Mourinho has previous experience of making tough decisions on big-name players in order to ease tension within the squad.

During his first spell at Real Madrid, he sanctioned the departures of Raul and Guti, moves that were seen at the time as part of an effort to reduce friction inside the dressing room and reshape the hierarchy of the team.

The article suggests that the Portuguese coach could be willing to take a similar stance again if he believes Vinicius’ exit would benefit the overall balance of the side.

Flashpoint after Benfica play-off

The report also highlights a separate flashpoint between Mourinho and Vinicius, which occurred after Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off against Benfica.

Following that match, Vinicius accused Gianluca Prestiani of racially abusing him on the pitch. Mourinho, speaking afterwards, said he could not be certain which version of events was accurate. He also publicly criticised the manner in which Vinicius celebrated his goal.

Those comments were not well received in the Vinicius camp, the Daily Mail says, and no attempt at reconciliation has been made since, leaving relations between player and coach strained.

Arsenal interest and Real Madrid’s dilemma

With contract negotiations at an impasse, Real Madrid now face a clear choice, according to the report: either meet Vinicius’ demands for a new deal worth around €30m per year, plus a loyalty bonus of €15m, or explore the possibility of selling him in the current transfer window.

Arsenal are identified as the leading potential destination, with their interest described as genuine but still at an early stage. If the Premier League side decide to submit a formal proposal that Real Madrid consider acceptable, the Spanish club are expected to study it carefully in order to avoid the risk of losing Vinicius on a free transfer once his contract runs down.

For now, the situation leaves all parties – Vinicius, Real Madrid and Arsenal – facing a pivotal summer, with Mbappe’s status at the Bernabeu sitting at the heart of a complex contract and transfer saga.