As transfer speculation grows across platforms such as Cricket Exchange, Vinicius Junior reportedly views leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal as a step backward. Arsenal have won the Premier League and finished runners-up in the Champions League, and they are willing to offer €160 million. His reply has been firm: “I have never imagined leaving Real Madrid.” It is both sincere and a bargaining tool.
Renewal talks have entered their final week. Vinicius’ contract expires in 2027, and Madrid have set the end of July as the deadline. He must accept the agreement or risk being sold this summer.
Vinicius wants a deal matching Kylian Mbappe’s: €30 million net per year plus a €15 million loyalty bonus. Madrid have offered €22 million net and a €7 million bonus. The €8 million gap is the core obstacle, and neither side is willing to blink first.
Madrid argue that Mbappe arrived as a free agent, allowing the club to pay a higher salary. Vinicius joined from Flamengo at 18 and was developed at the Bernabeu, so the club sees the cases as different. Vinicius rejects that logic. He has earned football’s highest individual recognition, helped Madrid win two Champions League titles, and believes his pay should reflect his contribution.
Arsenal are prepared to spend €160 million, while Mikel Arteta reportedly sees Vinicius as the ultimate attacking upgrade. However, their initial valuation was around £80 million, almost half of Madrid’s expectation. Money is one issue, but the player’s wishes are another. Even amid wider coverage on Cricket Exchange, Madrid remains his first choice.
Madrid also have a backup plan. The club are pursuing Leipzig’s 19-year-old winger Diomande, with an offer reportedly reaching €120 million. Diomande and Vinicius are both represented by Roc Nation, meaning Madrid are negotiating with one client while chasing another winger from the same agency. The signal is clear: renew, or the club has an alternative.
Vinicius did not return for preseason training this week, while his representatives continued pushing the renewal forward. Sky Sports has reported that current signs still point toward him eventually signing a new Madrid deal.
As the decisive days unfold across coverage that includes Cricket Exchange, the outcome still depends on one number. Vinicius may renew at €22 million, Madrid could move closer to €30 million, or Arsenal might finally place €160 million on the table. His Arsenal comment is honest but strategic, while Madrid’s Mbappe comparison warns that no player is irreplaceable. The next few days should provide the answer.