Arsenal is prepared to go to great lengths to sign Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid, and Mikel Arteta has already addressed the matter, stating that fans can expect transfer market activity in the coming weeks.
The three-way saga involving Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Vinícius Júnior is becoming increasingly intriguing, and it is clear the move could actually materialize. Following Saturday’s friendly against Girona—where the Gunners won 4–1 during their visit to the Spanish city—Mikel Arteta spoke to the press. While he did not explicitly name the Brazilian international, he confirmed that transfer market moves are expected for the London club.
“We are active in the market and trying to improve the squad. That is clear. We expect some movement in the coming weeks. It is obvious that we want to evolve, just like every team, and we can also see what our opponents are doing. We won’t stand still; we are very ambitious and know the direction we want to take,” he said in the media zone.
Faced with persistent questioning from journalists, Arteta found himself ‘obliged’ to explain the reasons for adding to a squad that had just won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final last season, citing the need to “increase internal competition.”
“The margins are very fine. We want to improve, and the level is going to rise. We have to increase internal competition. We need to ensure we identify what the team is missing. We have room for improvement, and that is how we have to approach the situation,” the Spanish manager added.
It is worth noting that Arsenal is interested in Real Madrid’s number seven. The Spanish club has already issued an ultimatum to the Brazilian: if he does not accept the renewal offer to be tabled in the coming weeks, his departure from the club will be set in motion. According to the English press, the figure José Mourinho’s camp is seeking to open negotiations is around €160 million, given that he is one of the global stars of modern football.
Vinícius Júnior played a total of 56 matches for *Los Blancos* last season, tallying 22 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
