Vinicius Jr seriously considered Arsenal move before signing £480k-a-week Real Madrid deal

Vinicius Jr came genuinely close to joining Arsenal this summer, with his agent Michael Yormark confirming the Gunners made a serious push for the Real Madrid forward before he signed a new contract worth £480,000 a week at the Bernabéu, keeping him at the club until 2032.

Yormark, president of Roc Nation Sports International, told SportsBoom that Arsenal’s pursuit was both direct and determined. “You saw the news; Arsenal was very involved. They were very aggressive,” he said. “Did he ever seriously consider Arsenal? I mean of course. When a team like Arsenal rolls out the red carpet for you and makes you feel really wanted, then obviously you have to listen.”

Despite that interest, Yormark was clear that Vinicius’s emotional attachment to Madrid was never truly in doubt. “Vini’s heart is in Madrid, that’s where he’s always wanted to be, and that’s where he is, and that’s where he hopes to be for the rest of his career.”

Grant Veitch, a director at the same agency, echoed that view, pointing to the comfort and continuity Vinicius has built at Real Madrid since joining the club at 18. “There were other opportunities that arose,” Veitch said. “But I think the level of comfort he has, and him already being a star at Real Madrid, it kept him there, and he wanted to stay. You can branch out, but I think the comfort level of him being there since such a young age and wanting to build up his reputation and wanting to continue that and win more titles with Real Madrid, that’s the main reason he’s stayed.”

Yormark added a broader perspective on what staying at one club for an entire career could mean for the 26-year-old. “It’s not often that an athlete gets to start their professional journey at one team, and end it there as well. He started his journey at 18, he’s 26 now. He’s already won so many trophies. To be at one club, the best club in the world, for your entire career, that would be very special.”

For Arsenal, the revelation underlines the ambition Mikel Arteta’s side showed in the transfer market this summer, even if their pursuit of one of world football’s most coveted attackers ultimately fell short.