Vinicius continues to be absent from Real Madrid, with Arsenal waiting for an opportunity to create a transfer "blockbuster".

The future of Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid remains a big question as the Brazilian star will not rejoin the team's training sessions this week.

Previously, Vinicius was expected to rejoin Real Madrid after the Brazilian national team was eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

After coach Jose Mourinho returned to lead Real Madrid and began building a new era, the club's management hoped Vinicius would be back before the end of July.

However, the 26-year-old winger has still not returned for now, while his agent is making efforts to resume contract extension negotiations with the Santiago Bernabeu side.

Vinicius' current contract will expire at the end of the 2026/27 season. According to multiple sources, Real Madrid holds a very clear stance that the player's future is entirely up to him.

If Vinicius agrees to lower his wage demands to match Kylian Mbappe's level rather than insisting on being a co-highest earner, the club will be willing to keep him. Otherwise, Real Madrid has no intention of raising its current offer, thereby opening the door for Arsenal to approach.

Real Madrid's latest move further shows they do not want to be pressured in negotiations. The royal club is reportedly very close to completing a €100 million deal to sign winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. The Ivory Coast star, also managed by the same agency Roc Nation as Vinicius, will provide Mourinho with an additional attacking option in an already crowded forward line.

The talks between Roc Nation and Real Madrid will focus on the huge commercial value that Vinicius brings to the club. Under his current contract, about 50% of the revenue from the player's endorsement deals belongs to Real Madrid. During the 2026 World Cup alone, Vinicius collaborated with 15 multinational brands – a feat only behind his Brazil teammate Neymar.

Over the past 12 months, Vinicius has also received significant interest from Saudi Arabian clubs. This is considered one of the options the striker born in 2000 can consider if he fails to find common ground with Real Madrid.

As for Arsenal, Vinicius is among the top targets to strengthen their attack. Besides the Brazilian star, the Emirates side is also closely monitoring Julian Alvarez, Yan Diomande, and Bradley Barcola.

With only one year left on his contract, Real Madrid will likely consider selling Vinicius in this transfer window if the two sides do not reach a renewal agreement, rather than letting him leave for free next summer.

If they succeed in bringing Vinicius to the Emirates, Arsenal would create one of the most shocking deals in the club's history. However, as of now, the two clubs have not yet started formal negotiations.

Notably, last summer, Al Ahli was ready to offer Vinicius a contract worth a total of €1 billion over five years. Liverpool was also reportedly interested in the player but quickly withdrew due to the weekly wage of about £520,000 he currently receives.

Joining Real Madrid in 2018, Vinicius has scored 128 goals in eight seasons with the royal club and narrowly lost to Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d'Or race.