Vini Jr speaks out as Jose Mourinho makes Real Madrid transfer stance clear amid Arsenal interest

Arsenal transfer target Vinicius Junior has finally spoken out about his future after returning to Real Madrid training.

Following weeks of speculation surrounding Vini Jr’s future and reported interest from Arsenal, the Brazilian finally returned to Real Madrid training on Monday (August 3).

The forward underwent routine pre-season medical tests yesterday before taking part in a double training session under the watchful eye of new Real head coach Jose Mourinho.

Meanwhile, his representatives will no doubt be working away in the background as the forward has just 12 months remaining on his current Real Madrid contract.

On Monday, ESPN reported that Los Blancos had made an improved contract offer to the player despite talks stalling last season.

The club have reportedly tabled a deal worth £19.1million per year, equal to around £367,000 per week, an offer short of the reported £26million per year salary Vini Jr is asking for.

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If Vini runs his contract down, he would leave Real for free next summer, which would be a nightmare scenario for the La Liga giants, who would at least like to receive a reported transfer fee of around £145million for the Brazil international, although Arsenal are unlikely to match this and value the 26-year-old closer to the £128.5million mark, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

The outlet reported: “The London club is prepared to take a gamble by offering him the highest salary ever seen in the Premier League.

“Figures that would be very close to what Mbappe is currently earning at Real Madrid.

“But for the deal to be feasible, Real Madrid would have to lower their financial demands.

“Florentino Perez wants €170 million, despite Vinicius only having one year left on his contract, while Arsenal want a figure lower than €150 million to make the numbers work.

“There’s room for negotiation here too, and Arsenal is very serious about this.”

Vini Jr reveals Jose Mourinho request

And for the first time since links with Arsenal emerged, Vini Jr has finally spoken out via Real Madrid’s official channels, with the Brazilian making clear that Mourinho wants him to be “happy” at the club, detailing how meetings with the Portuguese and his new teammates have “gone very well”.

"Mourinho wants me to be as I’ve always been: happy, cheerful, and that I play my football,” the Brazilian said.

"We have to prepare physically so that during the season we have fewer injuries and we can count on everybody.

"[Monday] was a double session, [Tuesday] is one session. So let’s go. Today we did a bit of work in the gym and a short session to load our legs some more.

"It was a good training session and we all left very tired, but now it’s time to rest for tomorrow. Pre-season is like this. We have to be prepared."

Arsenal have already welcomed Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Piero Hincapié to the club this summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side are next in action against Real Betis in Dublin on August 5 before facing Borussia Dortmund and Como at the Emirates on August 9 and 12.

The Gunners will then take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 before their Premier League campaign gets underway at home against newly promoted Coventry on August 21.