Published Aug 4, 2026, 6:40 PM GMT+1

Charlie is a football writer and assistant editor on FootballFanCast.com and has worked for the company for a number of years.

He began with Snack Media during his time at UCFB’s Etihad Campus, and after graduating in 2019, has held full-time roles on the Read Network and The Transfer Tavern.

Charlie has covered a variety of sports during his time with the company and has been a correspondent for football clubs both in England and Scotland.

The Brazil international has been heavily linked with a sensational move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Despite Real Madrid's determination to keep one of their biggest stars, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta seemingly view Vinicius Jr as the type of world-class attacker capable of taking the Gunners to another level.

However, those at the Bernabeu haven’t given up hope of keeping the forward in Spain. Vinicius Jr is set to return to Madrid for a fresh round of contract talks with club president Florentino Perez this week, after previous negotiations had stalled.

While Real remain hopeful of reaching an agreement beyond his current expiration date in 2027, Arsenal are watching events unfold closely.

Now, another extraordinary update has emerged.

Arsenal ready to break Premier League salary record for Vinicius Jr

According to reports relayed by Sport Witness, Vinicius Jr believes he should have the same status as Kylian Mbappe at the Bernabeu, and any current offer of an extension is below the Frenchman’s contract.

Reuters/Vincent Carchietta

Arsenal appear to be willing to pay the Brazilian big money, though. In fact, the Gunners are ready to ‘gamble’ by offering Vinicius Jr a record-breaking Premier League contract.

A figure isn’t mentioned, however, it would have to surpass Erling Haaland's record £525,000-a-week deal he currently picks up at Manchester City.

Therefore, an annual Emirates salary for Vinicius Jr would be more than £27.3 million per year before bonuses, underlining just how determined the Gunners are to land one of world football's biggest stars.

The overall cost of the deal would also be enormous. Alongside a salary that could become the highest in Premier League history, Real Madrid are expected to demand a transfer fee in excess of €150m (£128m), meaning Arsenal would need to commit to a record-breaking fee as well.

For years, Arsenal have built steadily under Arteta, but a move for Vinicius Jr and fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes would demonstrate that owner Stan Kroenke is now prepared to compete financially with Europe's biggest spenders.

Breaking not just the club's but the Premier League wage and transfer record for Vinicius Jr would represent a major shift in strategy and underline the club's ambition to remain at the very top of English and European football, making it an exciting time to be involved as a Gunners supporter.