Arsenal are still monitoring the Brazilian’s situation – and are still hoping to sign him in the summer transfer window.
The Athletic confirm that Real Madrid have made an improved offer to Vinícius to keep him away from Arsenal.
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The Spanish giants have on Wednesday presented a financially upgraded offer for the 26-year-old, whose contract expires in June 2027. Real Madrid’s transfer market is now first and foremost about extending with one of their biggest stars. – The last time they were in the break, the gap was big, Real Madrid are said to have offered a modest increase from 400,000 euros a week, while the demand is 200,000 euros more.
José Ángel Sánchez and Juni Calafat met in Madrid with the Brazilian’s advisors to increase the salary cap – and prevent a move to Arsenal. The London club has received approval from the board to negotiate a transfer as early as this summer, according to both The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano.
Summit to keep the star
Real Madrid management decided to increase their initial offer to meet the demands of the 26-year-old, who reportedly wanted an annual salary of close to €30 million – including a fixed salary, variables and signing bonus.
The club wants to ensure the continuity of a player who has scored 128 goals and provided 100 assists in 375 official matches since arriving from Flamengo in 2018.
The Brazilian scored 22 goals and had 14 assists in the 2025/26 season – a season in which the team finished second in La Liga, eight points behind Barcelona. After the signings of Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Carlos Espí and Yan Diomande, the club considers Vinícius the top priority to complete José Mourinho’s tactical system.
The Arsenal threat and the contract year
Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, have the Brazilian as their main target to bolster their attack – after the board gave the green light last week. The London club are now waiting for the player’s final answer: will he be sold as early as this summer, or wait until his contract expires in June 2027?
Real Madrid want to avoid the star disappearing for a sum far below market value – or for free as early as next year. In addition, a sale to Arsenal would strengthen a European rival that reached the Champions League semi-finals and finished second in the last two seasons.
After playing in the World Cup this summer with Brazil – where he scored four goals in five games – the player now has to respond to the offer from Madrid. Over the next few days in August 2026, he will have to decide: accept an improved contract at the Santiago Bernabéu, or give Arsenal the green light to start formal negotiations with Real Madrid.
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