Mikel Arteta has reportedly held direct talks with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior over a sensational move to Arsenal.
According to AS, Arteta personally spoke to the Brazil international and outlined his vision for the club.
The Arsenal boss reportedly told Vinicius Junior that he would become the centrepiece of his long-term project.
Arteta is said to believe the 26-year-old has the quality to lead Arsenal’s attack as the club looks to build on its recent success.
The report adds that Arsenal are prepared to submit an offer worth up to €150 million to persuade Real Madrid to sell one of their biggest stars.
Vinicius returned to Madrid on Monday for pre-season training and completed his medical assessments ahead of the new campaign.
However, his future remains uncertain as he enters the final months of his current contract with the Spanish giants.
The Brazilian winger is expected to hold face-to-face talks with Real Madrid’s hierarchy this week.
Those discussions could prove crucial, with Arsenal closely monitoring developments and hoping to convince the forward.
Vinicius has established himself as one of the world’s best attacking players during his time at Real Madrid.
Arsenal believe signing a player of his calibre would significantly strengthen their squad and boost their chances of competing for major trophies.
Whether Real Madrid are willing to part with one of their star players remains to be seen. Much could depend on the outcome of the upcoming contract talks.
