It’s the saga of the summer; Vinicius Junior to Arsenal. Will it happen? Well, with any move that could cost a British-record transfer fee, it’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be quick.
The word on the street is that Real Madrid are desperate to keep him. Likewise, the Gunners are desperate to sign him.
Vini’s contract situation at the Bernabeu is complex. His deal expires in a year and so far he has been unwilling to pen new terms. There is a sense a resolution on his terms could be sewn up by the end of the week.
However, if he does not renew in Spain, Arsenal are at the front of the queue to sign him. Finances, allegedly, are not an issue. They are ready to go all out to secure his signature.
But, in the likelihood that the move does not get over the line, where could Mikel Arteta and Co turn to next?
The Vinicius Junior alternatives for Arsenal
After winning the Premier League title, this has been a slower and less aggressive window than was first anticipated at the Emirates Stadium.
To date, third-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier and back-up winger Christos Tzolis have both arrived. Piero Hincapie has also put pen to paper on a permanent move to north London.
They need an elite forward, though. Vinicius Junior, who has scored over 20 goals in each of the last five seasons, would be a remarkable jaw-dropping signing. He is the best possible option.
Yet, alternatives will have to be lined up. The Gunners have already missed the boat on their number one target Morgan Rogers who has moved to Chelsea in a £117m transfer.
As a result, a number of other players have been looked at. AC Milan’s Rafael Leao would like to leave the San Siro and has been touted as an option for Arsenal.
Norway sensation Antonio Nusa has been the subject of interest too, as has World Cup winner Nico Williams. The club’s interest in the Spaniard is long-standing but it feels unlikely that he will leave Athletic Club behind.
An expensive option could be Eli Junior Kroupi at Bournemouth. Valued at £100m, the Cherries do not want to lose him, but the Gunners are very much interested. A striker by trade, he’s also enjoyed success playing on the left flank.
As impressive as those players would be in Arsenal red, they are not the ultimate Vinicius Junior alternative.
Meet Arsenal’s dream alternative for Vinicius Junior
One of the biggest icons in world football right now is Vini Jr.
This would be a remarakble signing. Arsenal would be bringing in a player who once finished second in the race for the Ballon d’Or in 2024, a player with 22 goals and ten assists last season.
Few players are more recongisable than him in the sport and that is precisely why it will not be an easy deal to negotiate. There are plenty of hurdles in the way.
If Arsenal are to sign one of Leao, Nusa or Williams, there is a feeling they would be left with the same issue as they currently have. They are exciting and vibrant wingers but they are not that elite-level calibre of wide player that Arteta needs.
|
Vini Jr vs Arsenal targets in 2025/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Vinicius Junior |
22 |
10 |
|
Eli Junior Kroupi |
13 |
0 |
|
Rafael Leao |
10 |
3 |
|
Antonio Nusa |
5 |
4 |
|
Nico Williams |
6 |
4 |
Vini Jr is evidently world-class, as is Bradley Barcola. Arsenal’s interest in the Frenchman this summer is no secret but in recent days, Liverpool have become favourites to secure the PSG winger’s signature after it was revealed he would not be signing a new contract in Paris.
That said, according to reports from TEAMtalk this week, Andrea Berta and Co are still in talks with Barcola’s camp regarding a move and are monitoring the situation closely. He could, however, cost as much as £145m. The Champions League winners are using other moves this summer as a benchmark.
If they are unable to get their hands on Vini, then they must go all out for the French superstar. Notably described as “one of the best wingers in the world” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the 23-year-old has proven he is a cut above many modern forwards.
Last term, he only bagged 13 goals in all competitions, as well as providing six assists but that does not tell the full story. At the World Cup, he was in devastating form for Didier Deschamps’ side, scoring three times in eight matches.
In 2024/25, meanwhile, he was immense. The French wide man netted 21 goals and assisted 18 for his teammates.
Like Vinicius, Barcola combines end product with sheer excitement. Last term, he ranked among the best 17% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries with 3.70 per 90 minutes.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
He also sat in the best 4% for shot-ending carries and among the top 5% for chances created from open play. His carrying is elite, his creativity is top-notch and he’s got pace to burn.
Simply, the PSG star is everything Arteta is crying out for in a wide player. Is he worth £145m? Perhaps not. Would he improve Arsenal? Almost certainly.