Arsenal urged to sign £40m Man Utd star after Vinicius Junior blow

Mikel Arteta missed out on Vinicius Junior (Picture: Shutterstock)

Arsenal have been urged to launch a raid on Premier League rivals Manchester United after missing out on a deal for Vinicius Junior.

The Gunners expressed interest in an audacious move for Vinicius during his contract dispute with Real Madrid.

Arsenal bosses approved a big-money move for the Brazil icon and Mikel Arteta even sent his target a personal message in a bid to get the deal over the line.

Just as the Premier League champions were growing in confidence, Vinicius reached a breakthrough in contract talks with Real Madrid to sign a new long-term deal at the Bernabeu.

Arteta remains keen to sign a new attacking player before the start of the new season, though, and William Gallas believes Marcus Rashford would be a decent alternative.

Rashford is searching for a new club after failing to secure a permanent move to Barcelona, where he was on loan last season.

The England World Cup star is set to return to Old Trafford following his summer break but United will try to offload him before the transfer deadline.

Arsenal tried to sign Vinicius Junior (Picture: Getty)

‘Arsenal won the Premier League with that squad, but maybe they have to make some changes if they want to play in every competition,’ Gallas told iPredicta.

‘They have to bring quality players and a lot of players at the same time. Those players will want to be in the starting eleven, so you have to deal with their ego.

‘That’s why what is very important is to bring the right player who will be happy to play from the bench, because joining a big club like Arsenal will add pressure every game you play, and we have to know if that player can play under that pressure.

Man Utd and England forward Marcus Rashford (Picture: PA)

‘Of course, Marcus Rashford would be a great option for Arsenal’s attack. I think he had a great season, and I’m sure some clubs will try to jump on that situation.

‘I don’t think he will stay at Manchester United. I’m not sure why no one has signed him yet, maybe because the price is too high.

‘He wants to leave Man United, otherwise, he would not have gone on loan to Barcelona. He will try to find a solution to leave the club and to sign a long contract with another British club.

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‘So now the question is if Man United are ready to sell him. That is the question. We have to know the answer.’

Rashford, 28, is available for a reasonable price of £40m for clubs other than rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

Vinicius, meanwhile, signed a new six-year contract with Real Madrid after being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.