Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal need to sign players of Vinicius Junior’s calibre if they are to improve on last season and win the Premier League again.
The Arsenal defender was speaking after reports linked the club with a move for the Real Madrid forward during the current summer transfer window. Vinicius Junior’s future at the Spanish club remains uncertain, with negotiations over a new contract yet to reach a conclusion.
The Brazil international’s existing deal runs until June 2027. Real Madrid have increased their initial offer, but it has not met the player’s demands, leaving the decision over his next step in Vinicius Junior’s hands.
Arsenal, who finished as runners-up in the Champions League, have been mentioned as a possible destination for the 25-year-old. Their interest has emerged at a time when the club are also reportedly close to completing a deal for Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Calafiori was asked about the speculation surrounding both players after Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat by Real Betis in a friendly on Wednesday.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Italy international was questioned about the potential arrival of Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior, and the impact their signings could have on Arsenal’s standing among Europe’s elite clubs.
“We are now at this level. We are at the top, and we want to win the league again. We want to be better than we were last season, if possible, so we need this type of player,” Calafiori said.
His comments represent a clear indication of the standard Arsenal believe would be required to strengthen their squad. The club are seeking to build on their recent progress and challenge for major honours again, while the possible arrival of Vinicius Junior would represent a significant increase in attacking quality.
The proposed move remains far from settled, however. Vinicius Junior’s contract situation at Real Madrid has not been resolved and there is no confirmation that Arsenal will reach an agreement for the forward.
Should Arsenal complete the anticipated signing of Bruno Guimaraes and then secure Vinicius Junior, their competitive position would be considerably strengthened. For now, though, the Brazilian forward’s future continues to be unclear, with Real Madrid’s revised offer still short of his requirements and the final decision resting with the player.
