Arsenal legend Paul Merson has sounded a warning to his former club about their pursuit of Vinicius Junior, suggesting that the Real Madrid star is merely angling for a new contract.
Merson believes that Vinicius is "playing" Arsenal, trying to drive up the price for a new deal at the Bernabeu. With his current contract set to expire, the Brazilian international is one of Real's most valuable assets, and it seems unlikely that he will leave without a significant financial reward.
Arsenal have been linked with Vinicius in a major transfer deal, but Merson thinks that his old club would be better off targeting Bradley Barcola instead. The pundit argues that the left winger is essential to Arsenal's squad, particularly with Leandro Trossard's departure and Christos Tzolis' uncertain adaptation to English football.
Merson believes that Arsenal's failure to secure a top-class replacement for Trossard will leave them short in that position, and that the club's willingness to let Trossard go for a minimal fee is a major concern.
Arsenal's pursuit of Vinicius has been touted as a major coup, but Merson warns that it may be a case of "buyer's remorse" if the deal falls through. With the Gunners' market position and transfer priorities in mind, Merson thinks that Barcola would be a more shrewd signing.
For Merson, the real worry is that Arsenal's inability to secure a top-class left winger will leave them vulnerable in the league. With the transfer window still open, the club has the opportunity to address this weakness, but Merson's comments suggest that they may be better off looking elsewhere.
While Merson's assessment may be premature, one thing is certain: Arsenal's pursuit of Vinicius will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike in the coming weeks and months.
