Vinicius Junior would be the biggest signing in Premier League history.
That is the view of talkSPORT host Rory Jennings who was discussing the Real Madrid star’s possible move to Arsenal, which now appears to be unlikely.
That is because talkSPORT understands that Real boss Jose Mourinho wants the winger to remain at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have also opened talks with the forward in an attempt to extend his contract.
Brazil international Vinicius has one year left on his mega deal in Spain, but progress has been made on a new one, with the LaLiga giants determined for him not to leave on a free next summer.
Arsenal’s interest in the 26-year-old has been internal, with the Gunners fully aware of Real’s intention to keep him.
But should a new deal not materlialise, Arsenal are prepared to make the 26-year-old the highest paid player in the club’s history.
And should that happen, Jennings feels it would be massive.
Speaking to on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “It would be absolutely massive for the Premier League, but you have to look at through the lense of Arsenal and what this means for Arsenal.
“They are behaving exactly as they should. Being champions of England comes with a power, it comes with opportunity, and they are making the most of it.
“If he lands at Arsenal and is the missing piece to them winning the European Cup, it immediately becomes money well spent.
“Off the top of my head, biggest signing in Premier League history.
“When Paul Pogba went to Manchester United. That was big.”
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Co-host Ade Oladipo then chipped in.
“As good as Pogba was, he was never in the Ballon d’Or conversations.
“No one ever said Pogba is the best player in the world.
“When three years ago, Vinicius Jr probably was that.”
Jennings added: “This is definitely up there as one of the biggest transfers that has ever happened in Premier League history.
“This is one of the biggest transfers that has ever happened in football.
“If they sign Vinicius Junior, who is at the peak of his powers, and you could argue his best football is still to be played.
“He is undeniably world-class. There is no way anyone can defy Vinicius Junior as not world-class.
“He’s in the top two in his position. The only player potentially better than him in his position is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
“For Arsenal, it would be such a statement, and I think Arsenal fans were feeling that the transfer window was underwhelming, but this is how you behave as champions.
“Vinicius Junior coming in transforms the frontline, and it is very intimidating.”
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Money, money, money
If Arsenal were to get encouragement and make a move for Vinicius, it would be an eye-watering deal.
Despite having a year left on his deal, Jennings doesn’t believe he would go for anything less than £100m.
He said: “I don’t think you could bid for less than £100million.
“He might have a year left, but you are not going to get him if you don’t bid that kind of money.
“Real Madrid will try to woo him and try to make him stay and sign a new deal.
“Jose Mourinho wants him to stay, so you are going to have to do something to allow Florentino Perez to present this as a victory.
“They can’t say he’s surplus to requirements because the money needs to be big and Perez can present it to the Real Madrid faithful as a victory.”
Reports suggest that in terms of wages, Vinicius is looking for around £470,000 per week, blowing the wage structure.
Bukayo Saka is believed to be the highest paid player at the club, but this would dwarf his wages.
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Other huge deals
In terms of fees, there have been some massive deals in the Premier League, but it is very rare you get a true superstar player from another league moving to the UK.
Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack – two icons of the game – moving to Chelsea in 2006 were notable transfers as was Manchester City’s blockbuster deal for Erling Haaland in 2022 given he was one of the most sought after players in Europe.
There have also been plenty of superstar transfers within the Premier League from Alan Shearer’s then-world record £15million move to Newcastle United from Blackburn Rovers in 1996 to Robin van Persie ditching Arsenal for Manchester United in 2012.
There have also been several players who’ve arrived in the Premier League as relatively unheralded and turned into multiple winners and legends.
Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure and Kevin De Bruyne all spring to mind.
But when it comes to world’s best players from other leagues joining Premier League sides, it is very rare.
As a result, you can see why Jennings believes it would be the biggest signing in Premier League history.
