The agent of Real Madrid's star forward Vini Junior has disclosed Arsenal's serious interest during the summer transfer window. The London club made a notable attempt to secure the Brazilian striker amidst stalled contract negotiations.
With the player's current agreement nearing its end, Madrid faced the risk of losing a key player for nothing, putting Vini in a position where he had to choose between signing a new deal or leaving the club. Ultimately, he opted to sign a long-term contract until 2032, earning a staggering £480,000 a week. However, Michael Yormark, the president of Roc Nation Sports International and Vini's agent, confirmed that the winger 'seriously considered' the prospect of joining Arsenal.
You saw the news: Arsenal were very involved. They were extremely aggressive in their approach, Yormark said in an interview with SportsBoom.
But Vini's heart belongs to Madrid; he always wanted to be here, and he hopes to stay until the end of his career.
Did he seriously consider Arsenal? Of course. When a team like Arsenal lays out the red carpet and makes you feel truly wanted, naturally, you pay attention.
Grant Weitch, from Vini's agency, added that the player had other options for his career moving forward this summer. However, his desire to continue winning with the 'Galacticos' outweighed those alternatives.
As the current season unfolds, Vini has faced a challenging start, serving a four-match ban due to an incident involving an opponent's hair. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho acknowledged to reporters ahead of their La Liga clash against Sevilla that if he were in Vini's position last summer, he might have chosen to leave for a league and country where he receives more respect. However, his loyalty to the Madrid club and love for the city prevailed.
