Talks over a fresh Real Madrid contract for Vinicius are expected to accelerate in the coming days.
The forward is said to be open to extending his stay at the Bernabeu, but he wants to feel valued. New manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen to keep all of the club’s marquee players.
However, retaining Vinicius without updating his deal poses a significant risk for Real. Allowing the Brazilian to leave for free in 2027 would be a major financial setback, even for a club with their resources.
With that in mind, settling the issue before the transfer deadline is understandably a priority.
As it stands, Vinicius can begin speaking to other clubs about a free transfer at the turn of the year. A free move would likely be more lucrative for him in wages than a switch this summer, when a buying club would also need to pay a fee.
So what might Real demand for Vinicius now?
The 2019 signing of Eden Hazard offers a benchmark: Madrid paid up to £130m for the 28-year-old, who was in the final year of his Chelsea contract.
Vinicius is two years younger, boasts greater commercial appeal, and that’s before accounting for seven years of inflation.
It suggests Arsenal would almost certainly need to smash the British transfer record of £125m, set by Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer.
Then there are Vinicius’ wages. Reports suggest he earns around £450,000 per week at Real Madrid, with some sources claiming it is significantly higher.
At Arsenal, that would instantly make him the club’s top earner by a clear margin, with Bukayo Saka currently on up to £400,000 a week.
And with only a year left on his Madrid deal, moving this summer would not simply be a case of matching—or slightly improving—his current salary.