Vinicius Junior feels undervalued by Real Madrid as Arsenal explore blockbuster deal

Vinicius Junior’s future at Real Madrid could be decided this week after the Brazil forward reported for pre-season training at the club’s Valdebebas complex on Monday and held his first meeting with new manager Jose Mourinho.

According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Vinicius is expected to meet Real Madrid’s board in the coming days to settle his position. The 25-year-old must choose between signing a new contract or leaving during the current transfer window, with Arsenal closely monitoring the situation.

The dispute centres on Vinicius’ belief that Real Madrid do not value him as a player of global standing. He considers the club’s proposed terms, particularly the salary, to be a slight when compared with the significantly higher earnings of France forward Kylian Mbappe.

Relations between the player and the club have become increasingly strained in recent months. Vinicius was jeered by sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd after an inconsistent season, while the prolonged negotiations over a contract extension have added to the tension.

His current agreement expires on 30 June 2027. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly made it clear that, if Vinicius does not renew, the club will seek to sell him for a substantial fee. Perez has previously shown that he is prepared to part with high-profile players, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in 2018, after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, serving as a prominent example.

The disagreement is financial rather than tactical. Vinicius believes the proposed four-year extension does not reflect his importance to the team and has compared his position with that of Mbappe, whose salary is considerably higher.

One area of contention is a loyalty bonus that Vinicius was due to receive when his existing contract ends in 2027. The player’s camp believes that agreeing a new contract would automatically cancel the old one, meaning the bonus should be paid immediately. Real Madrid, however, wants to negotiate the payment as an incentive for him to sign the extension.

The second issue concerns his annual salary. Sources close to the negotiations claim the club’s current offer would leave Vinicius earning more than €10m less per year than Mbappe. The Brazilian sees that gap as evidence that his contribution is being undervalued, particularly because he believes he has earned the status of a strategic player within the club.

Real Madrid has indicated that its offer is final, although there remains limited scope for further discussions.

If no agreement is reached, Vinicius will have to consider a new club. Arsenal has already contacted his representatives to explore a possible transfer that could become one of the most significant deals of the European summer.

The north London club is reportedly willing to take the risk of offering the highest salary in Premier League history, at a figure close to Mbappe’s current pay at Real Madrid. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta views Vinicius as the missing piece in his squad and the club remains highly serious about pursuing the deal.

However, a transfer would require Real Madrid to lower its financial demands. Perez is seeking €170m for the forward, despite the claim that only one year remains on his contract, while Arsenal wants to complete the move for less than €150m to make the deal financially viable. There is still room for negotiation between the clubs.

Vinicius’ preference remains to stay at Real Madrid, a position he has made clear to people close to him, and the club understands that. But he does not want to remain at any price. He wants recognition, both financially and in terms of his standing within the club.

That leaves Real Madrid with a choice: improve its offer at the last moment or risk losing one of its most important players of recent years.

Mourinho is keen for Vinicius to remain at the club. The Portuguese manager is a strong supporter of the forward and believes few players in the transfer market can change the course of a match as dramatically as he can.

Mourinho hopes to help reach a compromise in the coming days and is expected to try to calm the situation, using his good relationship with the board and his considerable influence in the dressing room.