Arsenal dealt Vinicius Jr transfer blow as Real Madrid reach final summer decision

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr will stay at the Bernabeu 'beyond this summer' despite his contract expiring in 11 months' time, according to reports.

Premier League champions Arsenal have been at the forefront of speculation about the Brazil winger's future but look set to miss out thanks to the intervention of new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.

Vinicius Jr will be out of contract and available on a free transfer in the summer of 2027 unless he and Real Madrid can come to an agreement on terms, with the 26-year-old understood to be holding out for a weekly wage beyond that of Kylian Mbappe, the Spanish capital giants' highest earner, and the arrangement over his image and commercial rights also reported to be a major sticking point in negotiations.

The Brazilian World Cup star has stayed away from training with his club without an agreement in place and his immediate future in doubt, but Sky Sports now claims that Vinicius Jr will not leave this summer and that the matter is therefore deferred for the time being.

"The Spanish club have no intention of selling him and are confident he will agree a new contract," reports Sky Sports.

"New manager Jose Mourinho is understood to value Vinicius highly and wants him to remain one of his top Galacticos."

While the prospect of a move away from Real Madrid has been mooted, Vinicius Jr is a beloved and influential figure at the club and the likelihood is that the parties will agree on a way forward.

Real Madrid would prefer not to have a player of his importance in the last year of his deal but selling him this summer is also not part of the plan under their new boss.

"There is no strong public evidence yet that Vinicius wants to leave Real Madrid for any reason, sporting or otherwise; no quotes, no interviews, no suggestive social media post," continues Sky Sports.

"Real Madrid and - most importantly - new manager Jose Mourinho want him to stay and agree new terms.

"Club president Florentino Perez is personally involved and has publicly expressed a desire for Vinicius to stay long term. Reports in Spain have long claimed that both parties have indicated a preference for him to remain at the club. Real Madrid do not want him to run down the deal into a free agent situation either."

Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid from Rio de Janeiro titans Flamengo in 2018.

He has played more than 375 times for Real Madrid in all competitions and has won three La Liga titles, the Champions League twice, and the Club World Cup twice.

With his best years potentially still ahead of him, it's not surprising that Los Blancos want to keep hold of their man. If the financial arrangement and the thorny issue of commercial rights revenue can be resolved, a new contract at the Bernabeu is a no-brainer.