Vinicius Junior’s next Real Madrid move hinges on talks with Jose Mourinho

Vinicius Junior is set for a crucial meeting with Real Madrid officials after returning from holiday, with discussions expected to clarify the Brazil forward’s intentions over his future at the club.

The 25-year-old is due to arrive in the Spanish capital on Sunday evening and begin working under Jose Mourinho the following day. He is expected to speak to Mourinho first before meeting other members of the club’s hierarchy.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the talks will focus on whether Vinicius intends to remain at Real Madrid and what can be done about his contract, which has 11 months remaining.

A new agreement would provide a clear indication that the forward plans to continue at the Spanish club. However, failure to reach a deal would alter the situation significantly and could leave the possibility of a departure open.

Both sides have continued to suggest that the preferred outcome is a contract renewal. Nevertheless, there is uncertainty over what might happen when the player and club finally hold direct discussions.

Real Madrid are not aware of any interest from Arsenal, despite strong speculation linking Vinicius with the club over the past seven days. There have been no formal contacts between Arsenal and the player, while Vinicius’ representatives deny that any agreement has been reached with the European runners-up.

Real Madrid remain calm because of the signals Vinicius has given during recent communication between the two sides. Club officials are relying on the player’s position in their most recent conversation, when he expressed a desire to stay.

However, AS reports that Real Madrid’s contract offer is not expected to change, or at least not to the level sought by Vinicius. His representatives told the newspaper in February 2025, following interest from Saudi Arabia, that an agreement had appeared very close to being signed.

The new contract was never completed, and the unresolved situation has now continued for 18 months.

Real Madrid want Vinicius to state his position clearly. If he no longer wishes to renew, the club expects him to say so, allowing its officials to assess the transfer market and identify the strongest possible replacement or alternative.

The meeting will also allow both sides to establish whether their positions have changed during the long-running negotiations. The disagreement has been financial, and the immediate objective is to understand exactly where the other party now stands.

Vinicius is already aware of how previous major contract disputes with Real Madrid ended. Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria all eventually left the club after high-profile disagreements.

The issue has therefore moved beyond whether Real Madrid should simply improve or adjust its offer. The club wants to know what Vinicius genuinely wants, independently of any possible moves made by his agents, with whom the forward is understood to have a close and largely united relationship.

The outcome of the meeting could determine whether negotiations over a new deal resume with renewed urgency or whether Real Madrid begin preparing for the possibility that one of their key attacking players may leave.