Arsenal are prepared to make Vinicius Junior the highest-paid player in Premier League history in order to sign him from Real Madrid.
The Premier League champions have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Vinicius should he fail to agree a contract extension with Real.
Vinicius’ current deal expires next year so Real Madrid will consider cashing in this summer if a new contract is not signed.
Arsenal bosses have approved a huge move for Vinicius, a global superstar who is widely considered one of the best players of his generation.
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In his eight-year spell at the Bernabeu, Vinicius has won three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and finished runner-up for the Ballon d’Or.
The arrival of Vinicius, 26, would bolster an Arsenal squad that ended the club’s long wait for a Premier League title last season while also reaching the Champions League final.
Spanish outlet Sport say Arsenal are ‘very serious’ about signing Vinicius and would offer him the opportunity to become the highest-paid player in Premier League history.
It was reported last week that Arsenal would make Vinicius their highest-paid player with a contract worth more than the £350,000-a-week deal that Bukayo Saka signed earlier this year.
Vinicius currently commands a weekly salary of £400,000 but Arsenal are willing to smash their current wage structure to secure his signing.
Erling Haaland is believed to be the current highest-paid player in the Premier League, earning £525,000 a week at Manchester City.
But Arsenal are prepared to exceed that amount to sign Brazil icon Vinicius, according to reports in Spain.
Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere has backed Arteta’s pursuit of Vinicius, insisting he would be a ‘statement signing’ for the Gunners.
‘It would definitely be a statement from Mikel [Arteta] and the club that they won the league last year and they’re not resting on that,’ Wilshere told Sky Sports.
‘They’re ready to go again and want to improve, not just on the pitch but also on the commercial side as well with a player like that.’
Arteta refused to discuss Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius last week but insisted his bosses were ‘really active’ in the transfer market.
Christos Tzolis is Arsenal’s only major summer signing to date but the Gunners are working on a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes as well as Vinicius.
‘We are really active trying to improve and evolve the team; that’s clear,’ Arteta said. ‘We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously.
‘We want to get better like anybody else, and you just can see the transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing.
‘We won’t sit still and we are very ambitious with what we are doing.’
Arsenal have three more pre-season friendlies before facing Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16.
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