Vinicius Junior’s future at Real Madrid could become clearer on Wednesday, with the club set to meet the Brazil forward’s representatives face to face to discuss a possible contract extension.
According to the Spanish radio programme El Larguero, Vinicius Junior has rejected Real Madrid’s latest offer, reported to be worth 22m euros per year and running until 2031.
Arsenal are understood to be leading the race to sign the 25-year-old if he decides not to renew his agreement with the Spanish club.
Vinicius Junior’s current contract with Real Madrid runs until 2027. The report also states that he would be able to leave for free a year later if he wished to do so, increasing the importance of the negotiations taking place this week.
Former Real Madrid player and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has expressed strong doubts about whether Vinicius Junior intends to remain at Santiago Bernabeu beyond his existing deal.
Speaking on El Larguero, Mijatovic said: “We know now what Real Madrid are offering him, and Vinicius has rejected it. At this time of the summer, with one year remaining on his contract, this whole situation clearly indicates that Vinicius is not planning to renew.”
Mijatovic, who previously represented Montenegro, added, as reported by Mundo Deportivo: “He can ask for 30, 35 or 25 million, it does not matter. At this stage, it is no longer important; he is already considering other offers, which is normal because he is a great player.”
The former Real Madrid sporting director also identified Arsenal as a serious potential destination for the forward.
“Arsenal are very interested in signing him. I have reports from England saying that Arsenal are planning to pay a huge amount to bring him in,” he said.
Mijatovic warned that Real Madrid could face a difficult decision if the player does not agree to extend his stay.
“If he does not want to renew, we will have to obtain a large amount for his transfer. We will see what happens, but by August things will remain unclear. If we cannot convince him to renew, we will have to consider obtaining a large amount by selling him,” he concluded.
The meeting between Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior’s agents is therefore expected to be a significant moment in negotiations that have yet to produce an agreement. The club’s latest proposal has reportedly been turned down, while Arsenal’s interest could provide the Brazilian with an alternative if his contract situation at Santiago Bernabeu remains unresolved.
For Real Madrid, the talks also carry a financial dimension. If Vinicius Junior signs a new deal, the club would retain control of his future beyond 2027. If he rejects an extension, however, the club may eventually have to decide whether to sell him for a substantial fee or risk losing him without a transfer payment after his contract expires.
