Arsenal have not been deterred by the early setbacks they have encountered in their bid to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.
It has been a largely frustrating start to the transfer window for the current Premier League champions.
Winger Christos Tzolis and back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier are the only senior players to have arrived since Mikel Arteta masterminded the north London club’s first title-winning campaign in 22 years.
The Gunners saw No.1 target Morgan Rogers move from Aston Villa to Chelsea in a British record £117million move, while they have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.
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Arteta had been hoping to add a marquee name to his forward line but Julian Alvarez’s reluctance to return to the Premier League, especially given his desire to join Barcelona, has seen a move for the Atletico Madrid star stall.
In their search for a potentially game-changing new recruit, Arsenal are now understood to have turned their attention to Real’s unsettled Brazil international superstar.
Vinicius currently has just 12 months left on his current contract, but his primary objective is understood to be to find a resolution.
Talks are planned in the coming week, but regardless of any potential contractual agreement, Jose Mourinho is minded not to allow Vinicius to join Arsenal under any circumstances.
Mourinho, appointed for his second spell in charge at the Bernabeu earlier this summer, is understood to be on the verge of completing another blockbuster signing in the shape of RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomiande.
But the Ivory Coast international’s arrival would, it is claimed, have no impact on the future of Vincius.
Rather than be put off by the initial obstacles that have been presented with, Arsenal are understood to be preparing a club-record offer to Vinicius in an attempt to convince him of their ambition and desire to make him the jewel in an already impressive crown.
Arsenal handed their prize asset, Bukayo Saka, a new £350,000-a-week deal midway through last season.
But they are prepared to offer significantly more than that in an attempt to land arguably what would be the biggest signing in the club’s history.
Vinicius currently commands a weekly salary of £400,000 but the Telegraph claim Arsenal are in a position more than match that and would be prepared to smash their current wage structure.