Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has stated his belief that Vinicius Junior’s transfer from Real Madrid to Arsenal is a completed agreement. The claim, made to talkSPORT via Metro, comes as Arsenal have emerged as strong contenders to sign the Brazilian winger in recent days.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are prepared to make a significant financial commitment to secure Vinicius’ signature should he indicate a willingness to move to the Emirates Stadium. While reports in Spain suggest a club-record fee of at least €160 million would be required to finalize any deal, those close to the negotiations believe the financial package itself will not be a barrier for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Arsenal hierarchy, including co-chairman Josh Kroenke, reportedly view Vinicius as a pivotal addition capable of propelling the club to consecutive Premier League titles and enhancing their Champions League prospects. This pursuit comes as Real Madrid are preparing to initiate new contract extension talks with the 26-year-old in an attempt to retain his services.
Pardew highlighted several factors contributing to the likelihood of the transfer, including Vinicius’ prior relationship with Jose Mourinho and the appeal of playing for the reigning Premier League champions in London. He suggested the lifestyle and financial benefits offered by Arsenal would be a significant draw for the player. Pardew also pointed to a perceived weakness on Arsenal’s left wing, currently occupied by Gabriel Martinelli, as a key area where Vinicius could provide a substantial upgrade.
“Everything else is there, isn’t it? The stability of the team, the goalkeeper, the midfield, it’s all there,” Pardew said. “All they need to do is have that one player when it’s 0-0 at 87 minutes at the Emirates, he jinks past two and curls it in the top corner.” He concluded by stating he believes the Vinicius deal is more likely to happen than a potential move for Bruno Guimaraes, considering Vinicius their primary transfer target.
Vinicius Jr. has been a key player for Real Madrid since joining from Flamengo in 2018, contributing significantly to their Champions League and La Liga successes. He registered ten goals and six assists in La Liga last season. Arsenal, meanwhile, finished one point ahead of Manchester City to win their first Premier League title in 20 years.
