Vinicius Junior has been warned against making a potential move to Arsenal by former Real Madrid star Pedja Mijatovic, who claims it’s better to be second choice at the Bernabeu than first choice at any other team. Mijatovic’s comments come as Vinicius continues to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium amid uncertainty over his Real Madrid future. The Brazilian superstar is reportedly seeking a new contract at Real Madrid, with Arsenal appearing to be the only candidates to secure his services if he turns down a new deal. It’s a situation that has drawn comparisons to Mesut Ozil’s move to Arsenal in 2013, with Mijatovic suggesting that Vinicius would be making a similar mistake if he were to leave the Spanish giants.
Mijatovic, who scored the winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final for Real Madrid, told Cadena SER’s El Larguero programme that he believes Vinicius would regret a move to Arsenal. He said that leaving Real Madrid, even if you’re not the main man, is a decision that can have long-term consequences, and that there’s no going back once you’ve made that choice. It’s a warning that may resonate with Vinicius, who has been a key player for Real Madrid in recent seasons, but has found himself behind Kylian Mbappe in the pecking order.
The situation is complex, with Vinicius reportedly seeking a significant pay rise to stay at Real Madrid. He’s been asking for around €30million a year, which is approximately €550k a week, according to reports. It’s a figure that may be difficult for Arsenal to match, especially given that they are yet to engage in club-to-club talks for the player. Despite this, the Gunners are still exploring a potential move for Vinicius, who has also been offered to Liverpool, although the Reds have decided against pursuing a deal.
The transfer saga has sparked a lively debate among football pundits, with some suggesting that Vinicius would be a huge signing for Arsenal, while others believe that he’s not the right fit for the team. Transfer Insiders host Rickie Haywood-Williams has described the situation as the “biggest red herring in history” in terms of live transfers, suggesting that Vinicius is simply trying to get a new contract at Real Madrid. It’s a theory that may have some merit, given that Vinicius has been seeking a new deal at the Bernabeu for the last couple of years.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain – Vinicius Junior’s future will be closely watched by football fans around the world. Whether he stays at Real Madrid or makes a move to Arsenal, it’s clear that he’s a player with immense talent and potential. For now, though, it seems that Mijatovic’s warning will be taken into consideration, as Vinicius weighs up his options and decides what’s best for his career.
