Vinicius Junior Signs New Real Madrid Contract Until 2032, Ending Arsenal Chase

Vinicius Junior has signed a new long-term contract with Real Madrid running until 2032, according to an announcement from the club via The New York Times. The agreement officially ends Arsenal’s pursuit of the forward, as reported by Sky Sports. Vinicius had entered the final year of his previous deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, prompting interest from Arsenal, whose ownership was fully prepared to launch an ambitious move if an extension in Spain failed to materialize.

Vinicius Junior Commits Long-Term Future to Real Madrid

Real Madrid and Vinicius met to discuss the Brazil international’s future following a proposal that reflected his importance to the club’s project. The Spanish giants improved their contract offer during meetings at the training ground. Vinicius expressed his commitment on social media, writing on his Instagram story, Eight years at the Bernabeu is too short…six more years and forever. He will be 32 years old when the new contract extension concludes.

Context and Career Statistics in Madrid

Since moving to Real Madrid from Brazilian club Flamengo in July 2018 at the age of 18, Vinicius has made 375 appearances for the club. During that span, he has registered 128 goals and 100 assists, while winning three La Liga titles and the Champions League twice. In the 2022 Champions League final, he scored the winning goal, and he also netted a goal in the 2024 showpiece event.

Vinicius Jr Real Madrid Arsenal GFX — Photo: Goal.com

In a statement announcing the renewal, Real Madrid noted, Vinicius Jr has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history. During the previous season, he contributed 22 goals across all competitions as Madrid finished second in La Liga, eight points behind Barcelona, marking a second consecutive season without a major trophy for the club.

Relationship With Jose Mourinho and Summer Squad Changes

Positive talks regarding the new contract were aided by the relationship between Vinicius and returning head coach Jose Mourinho. Mourinho has maintained a desire for Vinicius to serve as a primary protagonist in the Real Madrid team. The club’s summer of change also featured the arrivals of new signings Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Carlos Espi, and Denzel Dumfries, alongside winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.

Vinicius Junior Signs New Real Madrid Contract Until 2032, Ending Arsenal Chase — Photo: The New York Times

Despite the long-term security provided by the upgraded contract, the deal arrives amid pressure from recent results. Some supporters at the Bernabeu have expressed criticism and booed the player in recent months, creating a challenging environment as Vinicius prepares to continue his development within Madrid’s squad under Mourinho.

Impact on Arsenal’s Transfer Plans

Arsenal had monitored the outcome of Vinicius’s contract talks and were open to securing the player if he chose not to renew. With the forward committing his future to Madrid, Arsenal must focus on alternative targets to strengthen their left-wing position with an elite player. Meanwhile, Arsenal have agreed a £75m fee with Newcastle for captain Bruno Guimaraes, who underwent a medical in London.