<\/p>\n
Premier League champions Arsenal are making a bombshell play for Brazilian and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a Socceroos star is set to break the Australian transfer record – but he might only hold it for a few days.<\/p>\n
LATEST TRANSFER NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n $33 MILLION MAN: Audacious bid for Socceroos gun<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n BIG-MONEY GERMAN SWITCH: Aussie seals Bundesliga move<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n According to reports, the Gunners are seeking a superstar signing during the transfer window, to further bolster their stocks after winning the league for the first time in 22 years.<\/p>\n Sky Sports and The Athletic have claimed the star winger is at the top of their wish list, having been outbid by Chelsea for Aston Villa\u2019s Morgan Rogers.<\/p>\n Should it go through, it would be one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history.<\/p>\n New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is loath to let any of the team\u2019s stars depart, having already told the board Vinicius is a key player in his plans for the club.<\/p>\n However, complicating matters, the 26-year old\u2019s contract expires at the end of next season, with negotiations stalling after months of back and forth.<\/p>\n Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Should no deal be done before the end of June next year, the Brazilian could exit the club on a free transfer – a dire situation for the Spanish giants.<\/p>\n Sky Sports scribe Peter Smith described the signing as potentially \u201cjaw-dropping\u201d – if the Gunners can secure it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a thrilling thought for Arsenal fans and neutrals on these shores – but a worrying one for the Gunners\u2019 title rivals,\u201d Smith wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n It has been reported that money is central to Vininicus\u2019 contract talks, with Real Madrid\u2019s offer of 20 million euros well short of his desired 30 million.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to imagine Arsenal or anybody in the Premier League matching those sums of money,\u201d former English football journeyman Terry Gibson told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n Vinicius\u2019 relationship with Mourinho could be another spanner in the works, with the celebrated manager at the centre of controversy while at prior club Benfica following an ugly Champions League incident with the star.<\/p>\n Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni allegedly racially abused Vinicius during Real Madrid\u2019s playoff win in February, covering his mouth with his shirt as he did so.<\/p>\n The incident prompted a rule change for the 2026 FIFA World Cup allowing referees to red-card players for covering their mouths during exchanges with fellow players or officials, dubbed the \u2018Vinicius Rule\u2019.<\/p>\n Mourinho, however, staunchly defended Prestianni in the aftermath.<\/p>\n \u201cThey [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is something wrong because it happens in every stadium – a stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always.\u201d<\/p>\n However, it has been reported that manager and player have been in contact and are keen to start afresh when La Liga returns.<\/p>\n Vinicius scored 22 goals for Real Madrid last La Liga season, only for the team to finish without a major trophy.<\/p>\n Club great Xabi Alonso, who himself had a strained relationship with the Brazilian, departed as manager after a 3-2 loss to rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final in January.<\/p>\n According to reports, the Gunners are yet to make formal contact with Los Blancos to begin negotiations.<\/p>\n Real Madrid have been linked to RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande as a potential replacement should Vinicius depart.<\/p>\n RECORD LOOMS FOR SOCCEROOS STAR<\/b><\/p>\n Australian defender Alessandro Circati is set to force a record transfer fee amid interest in luring him from Serie A club Parma.<\/p>\n The Socceroos star, who impressed at the World Cup, is reportedly valued at up to $32 million.<\/p>\n