Opinion: Is Vinicius Jr waiting to become a free agent?

(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Sky Sports reported this week that Real Madrid are preparing for Vinicius Jr to remain at the Bernabéu beyond this summer.

With all parties preferring the player to stay in Spain, there is hope that a compromise can be reached over a contract extension. José Mourinho would even be prepared for the Brazilian to start the season without a new deal agreed, believing that at some point during the campaign he can work his magic, make the 26-year-old feel loved, and get him to put pen to paper.

Real Madrid are running out of leverage

That’s the worst-case scenario for Florentino Pérez, but one he might not have much choice over.

The president already holds few cards in these negotiations.

If the transfer window closes without a solution, he loses even more power.

While Sky Sports have reported Real Madrid’s outlook, the player himself is yet to make a public comment regarding his future. He will be paying the best advisers to surround himself with people whose job is to secure him the most lucrative package possible.

That advice could be, especially if he’s content in the Spanish capital, not to rush his decision.

From now until January, he’s the one who can call his employer’s bluff. If they don’t meet his demands, the moment 2027 arrives he can begin speaking to clubs abroad about a free transfer.

Mr Pérez can issue an ultimatum, but he can’t force anyone to listen. Even if the Spanish giants lost patience, ended negotiations and became open to a transfer, the Brazil international could simply refuse.

The free transfer option nobody is discussing

Of all the possibilities being discussed, Vinicius Jr choosing to become a free agent is a scenario not many have considered, but it is a realistic one.

That would arguably be his best financial option. As things stand, this time next year a host of clubs would be willing to match or even better his current wages because there would be no transfer fee involved. That could even spark a bidding war, complete with a huge signing-on bonus.

Crucially, he would no longer have to share half of his image rights, which remains one of the major differences between him and his current employers.

Footballers are still human. It’s perfectly normal to be indecisive about a career move. It would be logical for him to spend the next year in La Liga, assess whether he feels appreciated by his new manager and see how often he is used in his preferred position on the left.

At any point he can still sign the deal currently on the table, while also knowing that a fresh challenge awaits him should he decide to pursue one.

Saliba tackling Vinicius Jr
Saliba & Vinicius (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Could Arsenal benefit from waiting?

In a sport where everyone finds ways to communicate off the record, he could even let Arsenal know that his representatives will be calling Andrea Berta in January.

From a purely business point of view, the Gunners would save money by waiting until the end of 2026.

The irony is that Real Madrid have benefited enormously over the years by waiting for top talent to run down their contracts. What if they were to get a taste of their own medicine?

It’s the one option that isn’t really being discussed.

Dan Smith

Would you be happy for Arsenal to wait until 2027 if it meant signing Vinicius Jr on a free transfer, or should the club move on and target other options? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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  1. Possible.

    But it won’t be a free transfer. His signing bonus will be enormous as his team knows the next club has avoided shelling out £130m+ for him on the market.

      1. I saw that post from Hand of Arsenal. I don’t care if ROC Nation are gaining leverage from our interest, it’s a useful strategy for them.

        If RM fail to meet his demands, then we’ve said we’ll take him. If he’s agreed personal terms, then he’s open to considering the move and he’s unlikely to have any better options.

      2. I mean before this, if the ball was in Vini’s court… now it’s moved squarely into RM’s court. We’ll see. If RM aren’t willing to meet his terms (they didn’t for CR7, they’re willing to let world class players leave), we are the best candidate club by far to bring him home.

        It’s getting very interesting 😊

          1. Even if he rejoins for training it doesn’t say anything one way or the other, IMO. He’s still a Madrid player and we know he’d prefer to remain there. It’s just that things have now shifted to where there’s a real opening for us too. They could remain at an impasse and he stats for another year and looks for a new club in Jan. At least we’re at the front of the queue now.

  2. Yes, I also think he’s waiting to become a free agent

    I bet Arsenal are ready to stick with Tzolis and Martinelli, since they might not get Vinicius Jr’s signature this summer and in January

    I believe Arsenal will sign a new right-footed CB instead

  3. My opinion would be Arsenal signs Vini this summer if and when real madrid cant find a resolution, reason being that because there has been a willingness to get this done financially wise from us and Vini, Arsenal /Kroenkes would pull out all stops just to get this done, the are business made billonaire, they would be licking their hands at the prospect of getting him because talent aside the Arsenal offshoot of their sport portfolio could do with a bit of the paparazzi that we all know americans love (just the David Ornstein post saying we are looking to explore a deal sits at a whooping 73million X engagement(scale it against all his other recemt posts if you have the time), the global appeal is MAD!

    leaving it to free transfer would be leaving the whole allure of it to chance
    a couple clubs out there could blow us out of the water with financial package due to it being a free transfer
    Money is what speaks here
    Arsenal wont mind paying a fee now(best case a plus £33million on what Chelsea paid for Rogers)

  4. So Arsenal standing up to the cemetery of talents and attempting to beat them at their own game.

    This move is probably the boldest move yet since Arsenal choose the young Arteta to the more accomplished now sitting Brasil head coach

  5. Vinicious Jr. is exactly the type of player I’d NEVER want to see at Arsenal. Comes with drama, big demands, the type to sulk if he doesn’t get his way. His monstrous wage demands will almost certainly disrupt the dressing room and eventually jeopardise the club’s financials. Have you guys forgotten about Aubameyang and Ozil wages? I mean, Vinicious is even too greedy to agree a deal with moneybags Real madrid! Wake tf up guys! We are in such a healthy position having won the league, let us not repeat Liverpool’s mistake and start splurging money on signings we don’t need. Tzolis was a good transfer, Vinicious and Guimaraes are not. In fact, I remember Guimaraes talking crap about us when he chose to join Newcastle instead of us. Anyway, please, Arteta, just AVOID signing Vinicious and put that money to better use.

    1. I think it’s because ….he’s very good at football…better then what we have
      I keep hearing about this attitude issue …..hasn’t stopped him winning titles and CL ?

      as for our financial situation……Arsenal are doing okay lol
      they don’t care about your financial situation when your paying for your shirt ot ticket so don’t worry about them

      and you do realise that Havertz is nearly on 300-000 pound , Jesus 250-000 , Truss Nelson 100-000

      so when you look at it like that

      1. You’ve nailed your colours to the mast Dan.
        He is indeed a very good player and has won trophies. The caveat is that over many decades, Real Madrid is the biggest club and one of 2 clubs in Spain that regularly win. It stands to reason that VJ will have contributed but he will also be surrounded by some of the best as well. Currently, RM are in the comparative doldrums and his future is in doubt there.

        1. no Sue P but the argument is from some that his attitude is costly
          so you have to be fair and say since the age of 19 he’s done okay
          and no , he hasn’t just won trophies because he happens to be at Real Madrid…he’s been one of the main guys

          just so you know though i still think it’s unlikely so some will get their way

    2. His on-field antics and hyper-competitive behavior don’t exactly endear him to fans, especially fans of rivals and opposing teams!

      I don’t think the money issue is really as problematic as people think. Look at Man City, our closest competition. Haaland is on £525k a week. Other top, long term players are/were on much less. Bernardo Silva was on £300k. Rodri on £225k. So our salary differentials would be comparable.

      We’ve been after a creative world class left winger for several seasons. Vini Jr is literally one of the top 3 in the world (if you count Mbappe as a left winger currently playing out of position). Only player arguably better is Kvara.

  6. I have to laugh at some of these story’s. Now one story is claiming he’s agreed to join us. Not a chance, just click baiting websites and the like.

    And as for are we waiting for the free transfer scenario, we can hope as much as we like he’s not joining us today, tomorrow, or any other day that ends in a why.

    And I for one am glad about that.

  7. No way will Real Madrid allow him to leave on a free next year. If he doesn’t sign a new contract in the next few weeks he will be sold. Real Madrid will not want to lose out on over £100m.

  8. No way he leaves on a free. RM already said they need an answer now, or else they put him on transfers list.

    Vini jr already said that he wants RM to get a transfer fee if he leaves, doesn’t want the club to get nothing; after what they have done together.

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