Jose Mourinho has told Real Madrid he will not entertain selling Vinicius Junior to Arsenal, making clear the Brazilian is central to his plans for next season despite the forward’s unresolved contract situation.
The new Real Madrid head coach has been informed of Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius, whose current deal at the Bernabeu expires next summer, and has responded by insisting the 24-year-old should not be included in any transfer discussions.
Vinicius has recently been linked with a move to the Premier League club after Real Madrid’s attempts to agree an extension stalled, raising the prospect that the Spanish champions could be forced to consider major offers rather than risk losing him for free in 2025.
According to The Telegraph, Mourinho has communicated directly to the Real Madrid hierarchy that he opposes any sale of the Brazil international and wants all of the club’s senior stars to remain.
Arsenal interest ‘genuine’ but at an early stage
The Athletic reports that Arsenal’s desire to sign Vinicius is “real”, although talks are believed to be at a very early stage and no agreement is close.
Sources cited by the outlet say Mourinho has asked Real Madrid to keep all of his key players “away from any conversation about sales”, underlining his stance that the core of the squad must stay intact.
Mourinho is understood to be particularly adamant that Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham all form part of his starting line-up in the coming campaign as he looks to build a side around that attacking trio.
Arsenal’s rise changes transfer landscape
While Arsenal’s interest is still developing, the pursuit of a player of Vinicius’s profile is seen as a sign of how far the north London club have progressed in recent seasons.
Following their Premier League title win and a run to the Champions League final, Arsenal are now regarded as capable of competing for some of the game’s biggest names – a situation markedly different from the one Mikel Arteta inherited when he took charge.
Their improved sporting and financial position has encouraged the club to explore opportunities at the very top of the market, with Vinicius fitting that category.
Wage demands a major obstacle
Telegraph Sport further reports that Mourinho is firmly against any potential deal, while the financial implications for Arsenal would be substantial even if Real Madrid’s stance were to soften.
Vinicius’s current wage, believed to be around £400,000 per week, would immediately make him the highest-paid player at Arsenal and place significant strain on the club’s salary structure, before any transfer fee is taken into account.
That financial burden, combined with Mourinho’s refusal to sanction a sale and Real Madrid’s ongoing efforts to renew his contract, means any move to the Emirates Stadium faces major hurdles on both the sporting and economic fronts.
For now, Mourinho’s message to Real Madrid is clear: Vinicius, along with Mbappe and Bellingham, is considered non-negotiable as he prepares for his first season back in charge at the Bernabeu.
