What Arsenal players have been 'told' about Vinicius Jr signing with Real Madrid decision 'imminent'

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly spoken to the club's first team squad about the potential blockbuster arrival of Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.

Vinicius is still yet to agree a new contract with Real and, with his current deal expiring next summer, Arsenal's interest in the Brazil winger has emerged publicly in the past two weeks.

Manager Mikel Arteta has so far refused to comment publicly on Vinicius since that interest emerged, instead simply laughing when a reporter pressed him following Arsenal's pre-season friendly win over Girona.

Reports in Spain claim that a renewal bonus and a dispute over image rights are holding up talks between Real and Vinicius.

The 26-year-old has joined up with the rest of the Real squad for pre-season training under new manager Jose Mourinho, having played for Brazil at the World Cup.

And he didn't talk as if he soon wasn't going to be at the club during an interview with Real Madrid TV on Tuesday.

"It has gone very well, getting to know the new coach and the new players, and training very hard," he said.

"Mourinho wants me to be as I have always been: happy, cheerful and playing my football.

"We have to prepare physically so that during the season we have fewer injuries and can count on everyone. It was a good training session and we all left very tired, but now it's time to rest for tomorrow. That's how pre-season is, and we have to be ready."

Whether Vinicius is also getting ready behind-the-scenes for a move to Arsenal remains to be seen.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Arsenal's first team dressing room have been 'asking questions' about a transfer which would send shockwaves through the Premier League.

Sporting director Berta is said to have 'conveyed to the English club ... their conviction that they are already securing what they consider to be the most expensive signing in Premier League history'.

That has led the players to conclude, it is claimed, that the deal is 'more than likely', adding: "Most of them have already experienced the 'Arteta moment', that moment when the manager, in conjunction with the club, decides on the specific objective to be achieved."

Vinicius holds meeting with Real chiefs

The 26-year-old held crunch talks with Real Madrid management at the club's training ground on Wednesday afternoon.

He took part in the morning's training session before the meeting got underway.

According to Spanish journalist Jose Felix Diaz, a resolution between Real and Vinicius is 'imminent', with the club demanding an answer from the Brazilian and his representatives over their contract proposal.

It has been claimed throughout the saga that there are three potential options on the table for Vinicius - to stay at Real, to join Arsenal or to leave as a free agent next summer without renewing his contract.

He now must make his mind up on his final decision before Real's self-imposed deadline.