Report: Real Madrid Teammates Expected Vinicius Jr. to Join Arsenal
News
The short version
- El Larguero reported that several Real Madrid teammates expected Vinicius Jr. to join Arsenal in the summer.
- Arsenal reportedly pushed hard to sign him, aiming to make him the global face of the Premier League.
- Vinicius stayed and signed a long-term extension but has scored only one goal this season.
- He has been substituted in four consecutive matches, including after 54 minutes in the Madrid derby.
- Mourinho faces a decision on his starting spot amid competition from Mbappe, Rodrygo, Diomande and Guler.
A Spanish radio report says several Real Madrid players believed Vinicius Jr. would move to Arsenal last summer before he chose to stay.
Several of Vinicius Jr.'s Real Madrid teammates believed the Brazilian forward would leave the club for Arsenal during the summer transfer window, according to a report from El Larguero.
The Premier League side were reported to have pushed hard to sign him, with ambitions of making him a global face of the league. Instead, Vinicius committed his long-term future to Real Madrid, but the report says people inside the dressing room felt he had already mentally departed.
His form has dipped since. The winger has scored just one goal this season and has been substituted in four straight matches, including a 54th-minute withdrawal in the Madrid derby.
The report suggests manager Jose Mourinho now faces a decision on whether to keep Vinicius in the starting lineup, with Kylian Mbappe established as the team's focal point and Yan Diomande, Rodrygo and Arda Guler all competing for minutes. The upcoming international break with Brazil may offer the winger a chance to reset.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
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