Arsenal's dream attack as Vinicius joins from Real Madrid and £51.7m swap deal agreed

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After a weekend where reports emerged of Arsenal’s concrete interest in Real Madrid talisman Vinicius Junior , the Gunners have the chance to build their own squad of Galacticos.

Arsenal fans everywhere stopped what they were doing and took notice on Saturday after news broke out that a deal for the Brazilian had been approved at all levels at the Emirates Stadium. Gunners chiefs, who have been targeting a major left wing signing this summer, spotted a golden market opportunity after missing out on Morgan Rogers’ signature in disappointing fashion.

Vinicius has just one year left on his deal and has still not reached a resolution with Los Blancos over a new contract. With Real anxious not to lose the Brazilian sensation on a free transfer next summer, there is a real chance that both they and Vinicius could be tempted by Arsenal’s pursuit.

As of now, no official negotiations have taken place between the two clubs or with the player’s representatives, with Arsenal monitoring the situation closely before deciding whether to submit a formal bid. Given his superstar status, Arsenal would have to make the 26-year-old their top earner on a mammoth £400,000-a-week contract in order to convince him, meaning he would overtake Bukayo Saka and break the club’s current wage structure.

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But, as shrewd and well-run as the Gunners are with regards to their finances, this is one player they should be willing to splash out on. In a transfer window where top wingers such as Rogers, Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande are going for over £100m, Vinicius stands levels above any of them in terms of his quality and accomplishments.

The Brazilian played an integral role in two Champions League-winning campaigns for the greatest club in the world, and was unlucky not to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Arsenal need to find a way of making him their biggest ever signing - a transfer that would send shivers down the spines of not only Premier League clubs but also European rivals.

Vinicius’ arrival would hand manager Mikel Arteta the game-changing abilities he has been crying out for up top, most notably after the Champions League final defeat to PSG in May, where they lacked individual moments of magic. The Brazilian has proven time and again that he has such moments in his locker.

Landing him would eclipse even Mesut Ozil’s seismic 2013 move from the Bernabeu to N5, though Arsenal are far more of an attractive proposition now, given they are finally Premier League champions after a 22-year wait.

Vinicius would immediately start the campaign out on the left wing, with new signing Christos Tzolis and Gabriel Martinelli providing valuable depth in what promises to be another long season fought across four competitions.

Fortunately for Arteta, the right flank, in contrast, needs no immediate attention. Bukayo Saka, while hampered by injuries over the past two seasons, is gradually returning to full fitness. Noni Madueke and wonderkid Max Dowman are expected to share the minutes on the right whenever their talisman is unavailable or rested.

That leaves just the striker position to be taken care of. Viktor Gyokeres led the line for much of last season but the Swede, who arrived in a £64m deal last summer, offers very little in games aside from his impressive finishing.

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Kai Havertz is clearly a favourite of Arteta’s and has proven his worth repeatedly since his controversial move from Chelsea back in 2023. While a big game player and perfectly suited to Arsenal’s system, the German’s repeated injury problems are a cause for concern.

And when comparing the pair to Julian Alvarez in terms of pure ability, there is simply no contest. Unlike Vinicius, who has only recently emerged as a real possibility, Atletico Madrid’s Alvarez has been a long-term target of the north Londoners.

The Argentine, according to widespread reports, is Arteta’s dream forward , adept at both linking play and finishing chances with his goal instincts. The biggest factor which has prevented the player’s move to the Emirates Stadium until now is his well-known preference to join Barcelona this summer.

However, Atletico are refusing to sell Alvarez to a direct rival, leaving the door open for the Premier League champions. Spanish outlet Cadena SER claims an offer of £51.7m- plus-Gyokeres , Arsenal’s top goal scorer last season, would be seriously considered by Atletico.

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Such a deal would prove a masterstroke - albeit a ruthless one from sporting director Andrea Berta to acknowledge that he got it wrong when he signed Gyokeres from Sporting CP. Berta also has the added bonus of knowing the ins and outs of Alvarez's situation, having been the man to orchestrate his transfer from Manchester City to Atletico prior to his own switch to north London.

Like Vinicius, Alvarez is still only 26, with his best years ahead of him. His return to the Premier League, if coupled with the Brazilian's arrival, would hand Arteta a front-three akin to the golden age of the Galacticos.