Arsenal have been dealt another transfer blow as key target Vinicius Junior signed a new long-term deal with parent club Real Madrid.
The Brazilian winger had been linked with a move to north London, with the Premier League champions understood to have been ready to step up their pursuit had he turned down Madrid’s proposal.
The 26-year-old has now put pen to paper on a fresh six-year deal at Real, committing his future to the Spanish giants through to 2032.
With Vinicius now tied to the Bernabeu for another six seasons, Mikel Arteta’s side must redirect their search as they seek to recruit a left-sided attacking option this summer.
The Spanish club confirmed the agreement on Thursday.
Negotiations between the player’s camp and the club had dragged on for a year and a half before a resolution was finally reached.
The winger, who originally arrived from Flamengo in 2018 and previously extended his contract three years ago, has long described Madrid as the club of his “dreams”.
Speculation about the Brazilian’s future reached a boiling point after he deleted all of his social media photos, prompting fans to speculate.
Vinicius Junior has signed a new long-term deal with Real Madrid
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The winger has ended the talks about where he might go, writing on social media: “Eight years at the Bernabeu are too short… Six more years, and then forever.”
Madrid also paid tribute to their star forward, stating online: “Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr have agreed on the extension of our player’s contract, which links him to the club until June 30, 2032.
“Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid in July 2018 at the age of 18. In his eight seasons wearing our jersey, he has played 375 matches, scored 128 goals, and won 14 titles: 2 Champions League, 3 Club World Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, and 3 Spanish Super Cups.
“His contribution to all these titles has been pivotal due to his gameplay, assists, and goals, including those scored in the last two Champions League finals won by Real Madrid: the Fourteenth (Paris, 2022) and the Fifteenth (London, 2024).”
The Brazilian is one of the most highly-rated players in world football
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On the international stage, he has registered 13 goals from 54 appearances for Brazil.
He reported back for pre-season duty on Monday, undergoing his medical assessment and first training session of the summer after representing Brazil at the World Cup.
Madrid’s decision to secure Vinicius’s future came on the same day they unveiled Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who arrives from RB Leipzig in a deal that could reach £120m.
Mikel Arteta will have to look elsewhere for left-wing options
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Diomande becomes the sixth addition of the summer window under recently appointed head coach Jose Mourinho.
Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi have all already been brought in during what has been a transformative transfer period at the Bernabeu.
The club are understood to be pursuing Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, though they now face a battle with fierce rivals Barcelona for his signature.
