Real Madrid contract talks and Arsenal interest - what is Vinicius Jr's future?

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid as a teenager in 2018 By Sami Mokbel , Senior football correspondent  and  Alex Howell , Arsenal reporter Published 5 minutes ago There may be no more intriguing situation in the transfer landscape right now than Vinicius Jr's future. The Real Madrid forward is unquestionably one of the most high-profile footballers on the planet. The Brazil international joined Real as an 18-year-old in 2018, winning 14 trophies and scoring 128 goals in 375 matches for the Spanish giants. To think they have allowed him to enter the final year of his contract is perplexing - but that is where we are. In normal circumstances, according to industry sources, Vinicius' market value would exceed £200m. On the pitch, that amount of money would get you a world class left-winger who is also adept at playing centrally, as well as a player who, aged 26, is reaching his peak years. Off the pitch, you would be signing a global icon whose commercial value would be financially lucrative. What now for Vinicius Jr after Mourinho signs Real Madrid deal? Published 30 May Has Vinicius Jr brilliance just papered over the Brazilian cracks? Published 14 June 'Arsenal want proven talent - and Vinicius fits bill' Real Madrid have tried to renew their attacker's contract and opened further talks with him on Monday - but, as of yet, to no avail. His potential availability has alerted Arsenal , who are among the clubs to have internally explored exploiting the contractual impasse. Teams in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring his situation closely. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants to sign proven talent - and Vinicius fits the bill. Sources close to Arsenal insist he is just one of a number of options the club are exploring in their search for a left-sided attacker, after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea . However, BBC Sport understands Arteta has become so smitten with the notion of signing Vinicius that he is viewed internally as the club's number one target. As Arsenal discovered with Rogers, there are no guarantees clubs attract their priority targets. Indeed, Arsenal are realistic about their chances of landing Vinicius Jr. They know it is a long shot. Similarly, there is a sense from those close to Vinicius Jr that any move to Arsenal would be difficult. For most South American footballers, playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is a lifelong ambition. Leaving the Spanish capital - even for a club as illustrious at Arsenal - would be viewed as, at best, a sidewards step. With Real being arguably the biggest club on the planet, there is a sense that leaving the Bernabeu would also impact the player's commercial brand. Vinicius 'receptive' to renewing Real contract Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Vinicius Jr has won the Champions League twice with Real, most recently in 2023-24 Talks over a new Real deal for Vinicius are expected to ramp up in the coming days. It is claimed the forward is still ve