Real Madrid is increasingly confident in retaining Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior, having presented him with an improved contract offer. This comes amid significant interest from Arsenal and a recent social media action by the player that has added to transfer speculation.
The 26-year-old forward has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer. However, Real Madrid manager José Mourinho, now in his second spell with the club, is keen for Vinícius Júnior to remain as part of his team's rebuild.
The proposed new terms at Real Madrid could see the player earn approximately £18.5 million (€22 million) annually, equating to £355,000 per week. This offer is seen as a response to persistent interest from the Premier League champions.
Adding to the intrigue, Vinícius Júnior recently deleted all content from his official Instagram account, which boasts 63.9 million followers. His page now displays no images or biographical information and lacks a profile picture. Such actions, while not uncommon among athletes, are often interpreted as signs of potential dissatisfaction with a current club.
Previously, his Instagram feed predominantly featured content related to Real Madrid, including training sessions and match-day images. These have now been removed.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, has reportedly made initial inquiries about the player. Arteta has expressed ambition for the club's transfer window activities, stating, "We want to get better like anybody else, and you can see the transfer market and our opponents... We won't sit still and we are very ambitious with what we are doing."
Reports suggest Real Madrid is optimistic about fending off Arsenal's advances, particularly with Mourinho's endorsement of keeping the player. A key element in negotiations has been the re-signing fee. However, the club's latest offer is believed to have bolstered their confidence that Vinícius Júnior will commit his future to the Spanish club.
Vinícius Júnior joined Real Madrid in 2018, and the potential contract is viewed as a career-defining deal for the player, acknowledging his contributions that have led to him becoming a Ballon d'Or contender in recent seasons. He rejoined his teammates for pre-season training and medical tests on Monday.
Arsenal has already secured the signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34 million. Arteta commented on the club's transfer strategy, noting the small margins in competition and the need to enhance the squad internally.