Why Arsenal could soon have another chance to sign Vinícius Júnior

Arsenal fans, it may not be time to give up on Vinícius Júnior just yet. No, seriously, hear us out. He may have signed a new deal at Real Madrid, but things are hardly rosy at the Bernabéu.

Far from it in fact. You only have to take a quick read of the of the Spanish to understand that. One newspaper, AS, looks at the Brazilian today and how he is a ‘terrible marketer of his own brand’.

Despite him being a crucial figure for Real Madrid over the last five years – averaging 22.6 goals and 14.2 assists – he’s not loved at the Spanish giants.

In fact, he gets considerably less love than the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé despite posting better numbers than them in some areas.

The verdict from the Bernabéu crowd is ‘notably harsher’ on the Brazilian than his teammates. That, says the newspaper, has little to do with football but his personality.

Arsenal flirtation won’t have helped

Various events off the pitch – including the failure to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or and his reaction to that – has led to widespread antipathy. So too has the Brazilian’s ‘misguidedly boisterous personality’.

The situation this summer only added to the frustration. Real Madrid fans were less than impressed by the 26-year-old’s open flirting with Arsenal and Saudi Arabia as he delayed a new contract. He eventually signed, but the resentment is still there.

That is something Jose Mourinho is working to eradicate. But the reality is that Vinícius is not loved, especially when compared to Real Madrid’s other superstars. Indeed, there are those openly questioning the logic of his new deal. Journalist Tomás González-Martín is one of them.

“I wouldn’t have renewed his contract,” he said on Doctor Jota’s YouTube channel.

“It was a rushed renewal because Rodri Hernández ultimately didn’t come to Real Madrid. That’s why Vinícius and Diomande were announced on the same day. Vinícius will be there until he’s 32.

“Unlike Figo, who reinvented himself as a number 8, the Brazilian isn’t suited for that role. The day he loses his speed; he’ll be a nobody in football. I didn’t like the renewal, because Madrid had already signed Diomande and had Espí.”

Real Madrid should move away

He even believes that Real Madrid should be pivoting away from the Brazilian to get the best out of Mbappé.

“It would really benefit Kylian Mbappé if Carlos Espí played instead of Vinícius Júnior, because Espí would play as the number 9 while Mbappé played just behind him,” he added.

“He would score goals and create space for Mbappé, offering more than Vini does. Mourinho is going to have a word with the Brazilian to get him to perform better in terms of dribbling and beating his man.

“He isn’t contributing anything during matches and considering his contract – €24m net over six seasons – he needs to be the one deciding games.

“If he keeps losing the ball, failing to break down the defense, getting distracted, clashing with defenders, and taking the bait on every provocation… that just won’t do. Vinícius is 26, and he’s going to start losing his speed once he hits 28.”

Juanma Rodríguez, meanwhile, believes that there are sections of the Real Madrid fanbase who will never forgive the forward.

“No matter what he does, they have no intention of forgiving him… And yet, they’re just going to have to lump it, because he’s signed a contract extension for another five years. It’s a situation that’s hard to resolve,” he said.

One resolution, of course, could be a sale. Now that he’s tied to a big deal, Real Madrid can get a top fee, negotiate hard and ensure they come out looking well.

Arsenal, of course, would have to spend big money and match those wages to tempt the Brazilian, but all indications are that they were willing to do it this summer anyway.

If the situation continues as Rodríguez suggests, the chance would be there again for them. There’s certainly a feeling in Spain that the Brazilian is not as locked in at Real Madrid, or loved, as he could be. And that always leaves doors open, despite that bumper new deal.