Jose Mourinho stance on Vinicius Jr transfer to Arsenal made clear to Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho has reportedly made it clear that he wants Vinicius Jr to remain at Real Madrid amid rumours of a potential transfer to Arsenal. The Athletic reported that Vinicius has emerged as a target for the Gunners this summer as they continue their plans to strengthen their forward options.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with signing a new forward this summer and the Brazilian is the latest name to be mentioned on the rumour mill. The Gunners were previously pursuing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa but Chelsea moved ahead and completed a 117million deal for the England international, forcing Arsenal to look at other targets.
However, Mourinho has reportedly informed Madrid bosses that he wants the club's biggest stars to remain at the club this summer and would not want the Brazil international to leave the Spanish capital to complete a move to north London. The report claims that the Gunners are yet to open talks with Madrid but do have a genuine interest in signing Vinicius.
Vinicius' contract at Real expires next summer and there is yet to be any sign of an extension being agreed between both parties. As a result, a move away from the La Liga giants has been suggested in order for Madrid to avoid losing the 26-year-old on a free transfer in 12 months time. This uncertainty has prompted Vinicius' future at Real to become one of the summer's biggest transfer stories.
The 26-year-old scored 22 goals for Madrid last season as they finished runners-up in La Liga and reached the Champions League quarter-final. Real Madrid have reportedly slapped a massive price tag on Vinicius Junior, with the Spanish giants understood to be demanding a total package worth 160 million including fixed fees and performance-related variables to consider parting ways with their star winger. Arsenal have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window so far but have managed to add two new signings to Mikel Arteta's squad, with Illan Meslier signed on a free transfer and Christos Tzolis arriving from Club Brugge in a 34million deal.