Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jnr has removed all content from his official Instagram account, a move that has fueled speculation about his future at the club. The Brazil international, who has 64.1 million followers on the platform, currently has no images or bio displayed and has also deleted his profile picture. This action comes as contract renewal talks with Real Madrid, offering a reported £19 million per year, are ongoing but undecided.
Vinicius' current contract with Real Madrid is set to expire at the end of the upcoming season. Premier League club Arsenal has reportedly made its interest in the player known and is prepared to make a move if an agreement between Vinicius and Real Madrid is not reached. Despite the lingering interest from Arsenal and the winger's recent social media activity, Real Madrid is understood to be increasingly confident in retaining the player.
Talks between Vinicius' representatives, Real Madrid general director Jose Angel Sanchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat reportedly took place in Madrid earlier this week. Manager Jose Mourinho has also stated that the winger is a key part of his plans for the team. While the deletion of social media posts can be interpreted in various ways, it is sometimes seen as an indicator of dissatisfaction with a current club.
Vinicius returned from his post-World Cup holiday and began training under Mourinho's new management regime just three days prior to the social media purge. He recently told Real Madrid TV that his integration into the team has gone well and that he is training hard, emphasizing his desire to play his football while remaining happy and cheerful.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that the club intends to be 'very ambitious' during the current transfer window, with initial inquiries about Vinicius reportedly made last week. A significant factor in the ongoing negotiations between Real Madrid and Vinicius' camp has been the proposed re-signing fee. However, the club's increased offer has reportedly bolstered Real Madrid's confidence in securing a commitment from the Brazilian star. The Spanish club is keen to avoid losing the player on a free transfer, given his contract's proximity to expiration. For Vinicius, any new contract with Real Madrid, where he has played since 2018, is viewed as the most significant deal of his career, reflecting his contributions that have positioned him as a Ballon d'Or contender.