Arsenal dealt Vinícius Júnior blow just days after interest bombshell

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior as he is reportedly set to remain with the Spanish giants beyond this summer.

Sky Sports News have revealed that the Brazil international will be staying in Madrid as his current club have no interest in selling him amid discussions over a new contract, which José Mourinho's side are confident he will sign.

It brings to an end a short period where the Gunners thought they had a chance of signing one of the world's best players and could prompt them to move on in their hunt for a new left winger.

Vinícius Júnior to stay at Real Madrid this summer

Saturday afternoon saw David Ornstein of The Athletic break the news that Mikel Arteta's side were exploring a deal to sign Vinícius Júnior and naturally, that sparked plenty of excitement among the fanbase despite the involvement of plenty ifs, buts and maybes.

The interest was heavily reported to be at an early stage and with the winger in talks with Real Madrid to extend his contract beyond next year's expiration, there was absolutely no guarantee it would materialise.

Further rumours suggested Vinícius wants to remain with the 15-time Champions League winners despite no breakthrough in discussions over a new deal at this point.

That seems to be clear now with Sky Sports reporting he is set to stay at the Bernabéu beyond this summer, effectively ending any chances of a move across Europe to North London. Mourinho is said to value Vinícius highly and wants him to remain with the club.

This blow is yet another significant stumbling block Arsenal have encountered in their ongoing pursuit of a high-profile left winger this summer. Having targeted Morgan Rogers since May, the Gunners decided against signing the former Aston Villa star due to his heavy price, leading to his £117million move to Chelsea.

Christos Tzolis was confirmed as the club's third summer signing last week, but the reported interest in Vinícius and several other wingers suggests Arteta is keen to add a top quality name to the left flank ahead of a season where his side will look to defend the Premier League title.

Signing the Brazilian was always going to be a tough task and he would have certainly been an expensive option, even with just one year to go on his contract, and it may have even taken a record-breaking bid to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

However, Arsenal have shown in the past that they can entice big names to the red half of North London and that could prompt them to keep an eye on Vinícius' ongoing contract situation if Real Madrid aren't to strike an agreement with the winger.

For now though, the Gunners must turn their attention to alternatives who would bolster the left side of attack. With Arsenal's first pre-season game just days away and less than a month to go until the start of the league season, Arteta's side must act with the clock ticking.

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