Who had Arsenal making an attempt to signal Vinicius Junior on their bingo card for this switch window? Anyone?
It was a bolt out of the blue however the curiosity is actual. Fairly merely, it might be one of many largest celebrity transfers into the Premier League ever if Arsenal have been in a position to pull it off.
And it might presumably take some huge cash too. Vinicius solely has a yr left on his contract with Actual Madrid, which could assist, however Transfermarkt nonetheless have him of their prime 10 highest-valued gamers on the planet.
Arsenal have already spent about £68.5m this summer season, on one other new winger (Christos Tzolis) and a everlasting deal for final season’s loanee, Piero Hincapie.
They’ve solely recouped round £32.6m in preliminary charges from the gross sales of Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Karl Hein.
Thus, if they’re to make a severe try for Vinicius, they’re going to wish to boost some extra funds – and quick.
We’ve picked out some gamers Arsenal might promote to steadiness the books and get nearer to affording Vinicius.
Gabriel Martinelli
If Arsenal are to make room for a world-class winger, they’ll in all probability have to dump considered one of their current choices.
And whereas Trossard has already departed, the addition of Tzolis means there hasn’t been a web change in numbers.
With that in thoughts, Martinelli’s place of their long-term plans continues to be in danger, particularly after he solely scored as soon as within the Premier League final season.
The Brazilian is into the ultimate yr of his contract with Arsenal, who signed him for a discount £6m again in 2019 and can nonetheless have the ability to make a tidy revenue regardless of his downturn in kind.
Nonetheless solely 25, Martinelli might benefit from a brand new problem if he embarks on it now.
Gabriel Jesus
The opposite Brazilian ahead within the last yr of his Arsenal contract known as Gabriel can be susceptible to being offered.
At his finest, Jesus provides Arsenal one thing they don’t in any other case have in assault. However he hasn’t been the large improve they have been hoping he could be when he joined from Manchester Metropolis in 2022.
A giant harm stored him out for many of 2025 and he was solely in a position to begin three league video games final season.
There was discuss of a return to his homeland, however Jesus might have one thing to supply for a membership in Europe nonetheless if he can keep match.
Arsenal would in all probability take successful on the £45m they spent on Jesus, however they’ll nonetheless use his sale to recoup some cash.
Martin Odegaard
This could possibly be the most important resolution Arsenal need to make this summer season. Odegaard is their captain, however has he run his course as a key participant for them?
Some would argue he has. In any case, the attacking midfielder solely scored as soon as final season from 36 video games.
He was as soon as a marquee signing for the membership after making his personal transfer from Actual Madrid. However whereas he’s nonetheless solely 27, his affect appears to be fading.
4 assists on the World Cup with Norway despatched a well timed reminder that he’s not completed. That mentioned, Arsenal may suppose he’s with them.
With two years left on his contract, it wouldn’t be the worst time to money in on Odegaard earlier than his inventory drops.
Ben White
White has been a superb servant for Arsenal, however they’ve a few different gamers who can fulfil the identical roles as him.
Initially signed as a centre-back, he earned his place within the staff at right-back. However today, Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera can cowl each roles as effectively.
White, who has a contract till 2028, solely performed 12 instances within the league final season. Timber and Mosquera are each youthful than him and due to this fact appear to be those Arsenal shall be placing their hopes for the longer term in.
However as a 28-year-old, White ought to nonetheless have some worth himself.
Ethan Nwaneri
Promoting Nwaneri would have been unthinkable just a few years in the past when Arsenal made him their youngest ever first-team participant. However now?
A mortgage spell at Marseille over the second half of final season wasn’t precisely thrilling. He scored twice from his 11 video games for the French facet, however solely began 4 instances for them.
Sure, Nwaneri continues to be solely 19. It could possibly be a large mistake to let go of a participant of his potential so quickly. However generally the predictions of what an adolescent’s profession will appear to be don’t come true.
Arsenal even have to remember that they now have Max Dowman coming by, who’s seen by some as a good greater expertise.
Nwaneri has a long-term contract and a few would nonetheless like him to fulfil it. Nonetheless, younger gamers could be offered for premium charges today because of their potential, so there could possibly be cash to be made for Arsenal right here.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Whereas promoting their backup keeper would solely go a fraction of the best way to serving to them afford Vinicius, Arsenal can enable Kepa to depart.
Having signed Illan Meslier as a free agent, they’ve bolstered their goalkeeping depth. Meslier suffered a fall from grace at Leeds, however ought to be able to moving into the backup keeper function behind David Raya if Kepa leaves.
As soon as upon a time, Kepa was making a transfer that made him the world’s costliest keeper. However patrons Chelsea made a major loss when promoting him to Arsenal final summer season.
Kepa was unable to dislodge his compatriot Raya as a daily starter. If one other membership can supply him a first-choice berth, Arsenal might look to get their £5m again for him. Each little helps.
Fabio Vieira
Some additional pennies for the pot might come from two gamers who have been out on mortgage final season.
First, attacking midfielder Vieira moved on to Hamburg, who want to preserve him however must push the boat out to take action.
The 26-year-old scored seven objectives for the German facet, 4 greater than he ever did for Arsenal however in 18 fewer video games.
Whether or not it’s to Hamburg or another person, Arsenal must be reducing Vieira unfastened this summer season earlier than his contract expires subsequent yr.
Reiss Nelson
Equally, Nelson has reached one thing of a useless finish for his Arsenal profession with one yr left on his contract.
The winger didn’t actually pull up any timber whereas at Brentford final season, nor at Fulham the yr earlier than.
Now 26, the academy graduate simply isn’t going to make it again at Arsenal on that proof. He wants a brand new problem, maybe even exterior England once more after earlier mortgage spells within the Netherlands and Germany.
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