Arsenal fans have been told they are ‘deluded’ for thinking they could sign Vinicius Junior – and Gabby Agbonlahor compares it to when he used to DM Rihanna.
talkSPORT understands that Real Madrid are now confident that Vinicius Junior will extend his stay with them rather than depart.
The Brazilian international was open to a summer departure to Arsenal but fresh talks have been held with a compromise set to be reached.
Real have upped their offer, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, and that is likely to sway the 26-year-old.
His contract is due to expire next summer, which had given Arsenal hope they could jump in and sign him, with Real unwilling to lose Vinicius for nothing.
Now ex-Aston Villa and England forward Agbonlahor has had his say on the transfer saga.
Speaking on Breakfast with Shebahn Aherne, Agbonlahor said: “Arsenal fans are so deluded.
“The hope was there, but it’s like when I was younger and I used to DM Rihanna and ask her if she wanted to come to the Bull Ring in Birmingham.
“That’s on level with Arsenal thinking they’ve got a chance of getting Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.
“Arsenal only sign players from Real Madrid when they are coming to the end, and they aren’t at their best.
“It’s Real Madrid. You don’t leave Real Madrid unless you are going to get crazy, crazy money.
“I don’t see Vini Junior coming to the Premier League, none of the teams are big enough.”
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Expanding more on Arsenal’s attempts, he said: “It was an audacious attempt, to say the least.
“It was always going to be tough. Vinicius Junior leaving Real Madrid to come to Arsenal, it just doesn’t sound right.
“Think about Neymar at Barcelona, he’s not going to leave Barcelona for Arsenal.
“They were always going to come to an agreement. Real Madrid were never going to let a talent like that go.
“He’s worth over £100million easily. Real Madrid are never going to let him go.
“I was just looking at the players there and thinking that if he comes in and starts earning a ridiculous package, then they’ll start asking questions.”
Aherne then suggested that Agbonlahor would have played for clubs where he earned less.
And he responded: “Yeah, but not to that level.
“They’ve just won the Premier League, and you’ve got Saka and Rice thinking they are world-class players themselves.”
Alternative
Now that Arsenal appear to have missed out on Vinicius Jr, they will need a new left wing target.
One of the names they’ve been linked with, who has a lot of interest from Liverpool, is Bradley Barcola.
The Frenchman is keen on a switch to Anfield, but the Gunners have been urged to swoop in.
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That is what former West Ham United and Newcastle United star Kevin Nolan thinks.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “In that left-hand side role, or Barcola, if you like.
“They’re the ones who I thought would suit more of an Arsenal-type player than Vinicius Jr.”
Arsenal’s transfer business
After winning the Premier League, Mikel Arteta has completed the signings of Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis.
They are set to complete the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
The Brazilian international and Toon captain has undergone a medical after a fee of £75million was agreed.
But the fans will want more before they start off against Coventry City, live on talkSPORT.
