Arsenal: Jose Mourinho told Real Madrid 'will be better off without Vinicius Junior' as Gunners ponder bid | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta considers the Brazilian a dream target

Jose Mourinho has been told Real Madrid might benefit from selling Vinicius Junior as Arsenal consider a bid for the Brazilian.

It was revealed on Saturday that Brazil international Vinicius was one of a number of targets on Arsenal’s shortlist of attacking reinforcements. Standard Sport understands no formal approach has yet been made, but the Gunners are prepared to take advantage of the player’s precarious contract situation.

He is entering the final 12 months of his current contract with the club and is yet to make much progress in talks over a new deal. Real would prefer to sell up and cash in this summer rather than let him leave for free this time next year.

New Real head coach Mourinho is not thought to be keen to let the player leave - quite the opposite, in fact - but he has now been told the player’s sale might be for the best as he looks to rebuild the team in his image.

Transfer target: Arsenal are considering an approach for Vinicius Junior

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In the opinion of ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit, Real have been overreliant on Vinicius for some time, and letting him leave might help foster a more cohesive group in the dressing room akin to Paris Saint-Germain or world champions Spain.

“Something has to be rebuilt in Madrid,” said the Frenchman. “It started with the manager in the dressing room, but also with the players on the pitch.

“You cannot rely all the time on the brilliance of Mbappé or Vinícius, they have to stop that.

“Spain and PSG have sent strong messages over the last two seasons that the team matters. It's not based on the individual, it's about the team's unity. You can have the best players in some positions, but it doesn't mean you're going to win the games and the competition.

Emmanuel Petit believes it might be the right time to sell Vinicius Junior

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“Mourinho wants to get strong and reliable players, and I'm pretty sure he's putting pressure on Florentino to spend the money wisely.

“I know some big players are targets. If they can do that, it could be a very good season for Mourinho and for Madrid.”

Mourinho has already had a busy transfer window, adding Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries in a bid to bolster his defence. Real are also in talks with RB Leipzig over a nine-figure deal for Yan Diomande, who could prove a tidy replacement for Vinicius.

Even if Arsenal decide to move for Vinicius, whose Brazil side crashed out of this summer’s World Cup in the last-16, his astronomical £400,000-a-week wages may make a deal tricky to facilitate.