Arsenal's summer transfer window is heating up, with a potential blockbuster move for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior on the horizon. According to sources close to the club, Mikel Arteta's squad is fully expecting the Brazilian star to join the Gunners, following the signing of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
After a slow start to the transfer window, which saw only Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier join the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are now making serious moves in the market. Guimaraes, who was Arteta's top midfield target earlier in the summer, is set to join the club from Newcastle, with the Gunners' bosses finally agreeing a deal with the Magpies.
The interest in Vinicius, however, is a more audacious move. The 26-year-old is valued at 150m euros (£128m) by Real Madrid, but his current contract is set to expire next year, and the club may be forced to sell him to avoid losing him for nothing. The Arsenal board has sanctioned a big-money move, with Arteta reportedly willing to match Vinicius's current salary of just under £300-a-week.
Vinicius has been in a contract dispute with Real Madrid, and while he has expressed a preference to stay with the club, Arsenal's squad is convinced he will be joining the Premier League champions. According to reports, the Gunners' dressing room already considers Vinicius's arrival a 'done deal', and the player has been mentioned in talks with sporting director Andrea Berta.
With the season just around the corner, Arsenal's fans will be eagerly awaiting the completion of these deals, which could see the Gunners build a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title and challenging for the Champions League.
