Vinícius Júnior: extend or sell, Real Madrid must make a decision

With one year left on his deal, Vinícius reportedly wants huge wages as Arsenal remain on alert.

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Vinícius Júnior: extend or sell, Real Madrid must make a decision

Arsenal: a new clue emerges in the Vinícius saga

Back at Valdebebas, Vinícius Júnior enters a decisive week: Real now faces a choice between a costly contract extension and a sale.

Vinícius Júnior has returned to training with Real Madrid, but his future remains uncertain. Under contract until June 2027, the Brazilian winger is entering a crucial phase. José Mourinho wants to keep him at the heart of his new project, while the Madrid board is determined to avoid seeing him start his final contract year without an agreement.

An extension that threatens wage balance

According to sources close to the situation, Vinícius is demanding nearly €30 million gross per season, along with a loyalty bonus estimated at €15 million. These figures have not been made official, but Florentino Pérez considers them far too high. Real Madrid was already facing a salary dilemma over Vinícius Júnior’s extension, and the matter has now become urgent.

Completely giving in to the player's demands could disrupt the wage hierarchy in the dressing room. However, refusing to compromise could force the club to sell him as soon as this summer, or risk losing him for a much lower fee in 2027. Maintaining the status quo appears to be the most dangerous scenario for Los Blancos.

Arsenal keeping close watch

In England, Vinícius Júnior has become a top target for Arsenal. The Gunners are admirers of his profile and Mikel Arteta is reportedly ready to make him a focal point of his attack. Arsenal, however, have yet to enter into any official negotiations with Real.

From a sporting perspective, losing Vinícius would be a massive blow. Since his arrival in 2018, the Brazilian has scored 128 goals in 375 appearances. Last season, he notched up 22 goals and nine assists in 53 matches. He also boasts 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles.

Runner-up for the 2024 Ballon d’Or before clinching FIFA’s The Best award, Vinícius remains one of the most decisive players in Madrid’s project. Now, Real must decide whether the price of his extension outweighs the sporting loss his departure would cause.