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Real Madrid are set to demand a record-breaking transfer fee to let go of coveted winger Vinícius Jr, as part of a broader strategy to keep the Brazilian star away from Premier League title holders Arsenal, according to a new report.
Reports emerged on Saturday suggesting that Arsenal were looking into a potential move for the Brazilian winger, who now has fewer than 12 months remaining on his deal at the Bernabéu.
No formal club-to-club discussions have occurred regarding a transfer, though it has been indicated that Arsenal have made contact with Vinícius's camp as an initial step amid the forward's contract standoff at the Spanish capital club.
With time running out, this summer is effectively the last opportunity for Real Madrid to command a significant fee for Vinícius, should an extension fail to materialize. The 15-time European champions are reportedly unwilling to let such a key player leave on a free, making the situation simple: renew or sell.
Should they opt to sell, SPORT reports that Madrid will not entertain any offer below $182 million (€160 million), which would eclipse the club's record sale—the €117 million deal that sent Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus back in 2018.
Publicly, Vinícius has consistently expressed his wish to remain at the Bernabéu, while president Florentino Pérez has stated he wants the winger to stay at the club for "the rest of his life". However, actually putting pen to paper has proven difficult.
Madrid Ready to Continue Negotiating
Whether connected to Arsenal's reported interest or purely coincidental, AS reports that Madrid are prepared to restart contract discussions next week, following the player's return from his post-World Cup break.
Before returning to the negotiating table, Vinícius is reportedly keen to hold a meeting with new head coach José Mourinho to gain a clearer picture of the new project and his role within it.
Los Blancos have, notoriously, gone two seasons without silverware—an eternity by Madrid's standards—and Mourinho's appointment signals a shift in direction from Pérez, who is eager to steady the ship following on-field disappointments and off-field turbulence in recent times.
Notably, AS's report indicates that renewal discussions with Vinícius were already "well advanced" before coming to a sudden halt following last summer's Club World Cup. The gap between the player's wage demands and the club's offer is now described as "minimal"—yet apparently still sufficient to delay an announcement and give interested parties like Arsenal a glimmer of hope.
Separately, Madrid's €100 million ($115 million) pursuit of RB Leipzig teenage winger Yan Diomande is believed to be unrelated and not a barrier to Vinícius extending his stay.
How Much Money Is Vinícius Jr Asking for?
AS reports that Vinícius is now seeking a salary of approximately €20 million ($23 million) net per season, which would represent a notable reduction from earlier this year when he was said to be holding out for a package worth €30 million ($34 million).
Those figures would have been on par with Real Madrid's highest earner, Kylian Mbappé, while Vinícius's representatives had also reportedly requested a "renewal bonus"—something entirely without precedent in Madrid's history, though loosely comparable to the signing bonuses awarded to Mbappé and David Alaba when they arrived as free agents.
The Brazilian's current contract, last renewed in 2022, saw his wages rise to approximately €15 million ($17 million) net per season, with incremental increases each year, plus performance-related bonuses—such as for claiming The Best FIFA Men's Player award, which he achieved in 2024.
While Vinícius's contract talks with Madrid have dragged on, it's difficult to imagine they would be any more straightforward with Arsenal. Should the Gunners wish to mount a serious bid for the Brazilian this summer, they would need to make him their highest-paid player by a considerable margin—on top of meeting a hefty club-to-club fee. For reference, the Premier League champions' current top earner is Bukayo Saka, who earns around $20 million annually.
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Although Liverpool has been mentioned as another potential destination for Vinícius, genuine interest from the Saudi Pro League appears to have cooled significantly in recent months, and other credible options for the Brazilian No.7 seem to be scarce.
Ultimately, Vinícius is keen to stay and Real Madrid have no desire to lose a world-class player in his prime for nothing. Arsenal's interest becoming public knowledge may have inadvertently helped accelerate renewal talks, with a new contract remaining the outcome that best serves everyone involved.