Suspense Ends: Vinicius Junior Not Joining Arsenal As Real Madrid Announce Si Year Deal

Published 7 August 2026 · sports

News sports football Suspense Ends: Vinicius Junior Not Joining Arsenal As Real Madrid Announce Si Year Deal Suspense Ends: Vinicius Junior Not Joining Arsenal As

News sports football Suspense Ends: Vinicius Junior Not Joining Arsenal As Real Madrid Announce Si Year Deal Suspense Ends: Vinicius Junior Not Joining Arsenal As Real Madrid Announce Si Year Deal Published By, Last Updated: August 07, 2026, 07:46 IST Vinicius Junior had a year left on his previous deal and reports said Arsenal had made him a transfer target. Vinicius Junior was heavily linked with Arsenal. (Reuters Photo) Ending weeks of speculations, Real Madrid have secured the long-term future of Vinicius Junior and completed the signing of teenage winger Yan Diomande, as the Spanish giants look to bounce back after two seasons without a major trophy. The club confirmed Brazil international Vinicius had signed a new si year contract, ending speculation over his future after reports linked him with Arsenal. “Real Madrid FC and Vinicius Jr have agreed the extension of the contract of our player, who is tied to the club until June 30, 2032," Los Blancos said in a statement.

The 26-year-old had entered the final year of his previous deal, with media reports suggesting Arsenal were interested in signing him while uncertainty surrounded his future in Madrid. Vinicius joined Real Madrid as an 18-year-old eight years ago and has developed into one of the club’s most influential players. He has scored 128 goals in 375 appearances, helping the club win multiple trophies, including two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns. Despite boasting a star-studded squad, Real have failed to win a major trophy over the past two seasons, while rivals Barcelona claimed back-to-back La Liga titles. The contract extension gives the club stability as Jose Mourinho begins his second spell in charge and oversees a squad rebuild. Madrid also reinforced their attack by signing 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Diomande from Leipzig on a seven-year contract. Los Blancos said in a statement that the deal with the Bundesliga side would keep Diomande in the Spanish capital “for the next seven seasons, until June 30, 2033".

Spanish media reported the transfer was worth a club-record 140 million euros ($161 million), including bonuses, although Madrid did not disclose the fee. “Moving to Real Madrid is a childhood dream come true for me," Diomande was quoted as saying in a Leipzig statement. The youngster added that he was “incredibly grateful" to the German club, which “placed their trust in me and gave me the opportunity to prove myself at the highest level". Madrid reportedly beat Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to the winger’s signature. Diomande, who represented Ivory Coast at the World Cup, spent one season in the Bundesliga after joining Leipzig from Spanish side Leganes in 2025. He was named the Bundesliga’s young player of the season after scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists. Diomande becomes Madrid’s sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espi. He is expected to add further firepower to an attack that already features Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.