Vinicius Junior: Arsenal target signs Real Madrid contract extension to end uncertainty over future | Football News

Vinicius Junior has signed a new six-year Real Madrid contract to put an end to Arsenal’s pursuit of the forward.

Sky Sports News has been reporting for more than a week that Vinicius would stay at Real Madrid.

The Brazil star had entered the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, and Arsenal were monitoring his talks over an extension in case they failed to reach an agreement.

However, Vinicius has now committed his future to Real Madrid until 2032 in a blow to Arsenal’s hopes of signing an elite left winger this summer.

“Eight years at the Bernabeu is too short…six more years and forever,” Vinicius, who joined Real Madrid aged 18 from Brazilian Flamengo, posted on his Instagram story. He will be 32 when his new contract extension ends.

Real Madrid and Vinicius have been in talks over a renewal for some time. But the expectation from Real Madrid and those close to the player has always been that Vinicius would stay at the Bernabeu.

It is understood that Real Madrid improved their contract offer to the Brazil star during meetings with the club’s hierarchy at the training ground yesterday.

Sky Sports News has been told there is already a great relationship between Vinicius and his new head coach Jose Mourinho.

This has played a big role in the positive direction of the talks over his future this summer.

Mourinho has always been adamant that he wants Vincius to be one of the protagonists in his Real Madrid team.

In a statement announcing his renewal, the Spanish giants added: “Vinicius Jr has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history.”

Arsenal were interested in Vinicius and monitored the outcome of his contract talks. They will instead have to consider other targets for the left-wing position, which is an area they have been looking to strengthen with an elite player.

Arteta: Arsenal ‘optimstic’ about transfers

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are “optimistic” about their transfer window plans as he wants his team to “attack every possible title” this season.

The Premier League champions are set to complete a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes this week.

“We’re even more excited,” Arteta said after his side’s 3-1 loss to Real Betis in Dublin. “We are going to attack every possible title as that’s the ambition we have.

“We will go from strength to strength – whether it’s the players we have, to take them to a different level, or with the market that is still open to recruit as well. We’re optimistic about it.

“All the work we’ve done during the summer is to understand what we need to do to win again and create a dynasty in this football club at the end.”

Asked if a deal for Newcastle’s Guimaraes is done, Arteta replied: “I cannot talk about any news. You sometimes get it faster than me. I’ve been focused on the match so I don’t know what’s happened.

“I cannot talk about any player that is not an Arsenal player.”

Arsenal agree £75m fee for Guimaraes

Arsenal have agreed a £75m fee with Newcastle for their captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has been undergoing a medical in London on Thursday.

Guimaraes told Newcastle bosses earlier this summer that he wanted to join Arsenal if a suitable offer arrived.

Arsenal’s opening bid was rejected but the 28-year-old now looks set to join the Premier League champions.

Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle in 2022 from Lyon for £40m, has made 195 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 31 goals.

Newcastle had been keen to ensure Guimaraes, who has two years left on his contract plus a club-held option for a third, remained at the club but if this deal goes through as expected, they will have made more than £240m from player sales this summer.

Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona in a £69.3m deal and Spurs signed Sandro Tonali for £100m, while manager Eddie Howe also departed in what has been a turbulent summer at St James’ Park.