Arsenal can afford Vinícius Jr – but do they want to? — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

Arsenal can afford Vinícius Jr – but do they want to? – Opinion

Reports linking Arsenal with Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Jr have understandably sent supporters into dreamland. While any move remains at an early stage, the possibility has sparked debate over whether the Gunners could realistically finance such a blockbuster transfer.

Dan Smith believes the answer may be simpler than many think…

Do you remember when football journalists claimed to have “breaking transfer news”? It would be to reveal that an offer had been accepted or rejected, or that a player was having a medical.

Now, “breaking news” can simply be telling us how a club is feeling!

Not just content creators, but respected men and women who work in the media with credible sources have realised they can make money by exclusively revealing gossip on their own channels.

So, without meaning to put a pin in everyone’s balloon, once you digest the actual rumours surrounding Arsenal’s interest in Vinícius Jr, you’re not left with much substance.

Essentially, we are being told the Gunners like the player.

Well, I’m sure we all have many things in life we desire, but that’s not the same as it being a realistic possibility.

I feel like, over the last month, all I read or hear is what Andrea Berta plans to do. If the Italian was indecisive about agreeing to Aston Villa’s proposal for Morgan Rogers , it seems unrealistic he would suddenly meet the numbers it would take to turn Vinícius Jr into a Gunner.

I think the Kroenke family would have to step in and oversee negotiations because that’s how big the figures would be. It would be our owners authorising a fresh action plan and approving an increase in the pay structure.

It would be evidence of ambition from the Premier League Champions to strengthen while they have their foot on their rivals’ throats.

It would also be adapting to where football is in 2026.

Why Vinícius could become available

To clarify, it’s not like Real Madrid have tabled an insulting offer to their Brazilian. Reports suggest the 26-year-old wants around £30 million a year.

The attacker has 12 months left on his deal, so both parties face an ultimatum.

If the employer can’t reach a compromise, now is their last opportunity to receive any value for the asset.

The man himself has to ask whether he truly wants to leave Spain.

It’s easy to accuse someone wanting £550,000 a week of being greedy.

Or…

Is he simply the first superstar who’s done his maths and knows exactly what he’s worth?

Because football can’t have it both ways.

Fans were paying thousands to attend the World Cup. Shirts now cost well into three figures, and the transfer market is so inflated that players from relegated clubs can cost £85 million.

Can clubs play friendlies around the globe to make money from their brand and then complain when those on the pitch want a bigger piece of the pie?

Some Gooners often lose sight of this.

Arsenal have a lot of money and generated serious revenue over the last year.

As already mentioned, the idea has been approved at all levels at the Emirates, meaning those in charge of the money clearly believe there is a deal worth exploring.

As a starting point, we would need to match the approximately £400,000 per week he currently earns.

That seems excessive until you remember Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka are reportedly earning figures close to £300,000 a week.

Or if I said the same amount pays for Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus…

What would you rather have?

Saliba & Vinicius (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

There are other ways to make the deal work

In negotiations, the player will be told he can make more money, just in a different way.

Namely, Arsenal would not necessarily have to adopt the strict approach to image rights that Florentino Pérez is widely reported to favour at Real Madrid.

By being flexible, Arsenal could offer £350,000 a week while allowing the player to retain the majority of his commercial income.

For example, it’s estimated Adidas pays him around £7 million a year to work with the player. That’s just one of several lucrative branding deals.

If Arsenal were prepared to give up any claim to his external commercial empire, the player would receive an automatic multi-million-pound annual increase without the club having to pay an extra penny from their own bank accounts.

Arsenal could increase his take-home income by millions while keeping his basic salary within touching distance of the club’s current top earners.

It seems the kind of deal the Kroenke family won’t do.

Should they?

That comes down to your point of view.

They expect you to pay over the odds for shirts, tickets and subscriptions, so of course they can structure this deal.

Can Arsenal afford Vinícius Jr?

Trust me…

In a heartbeat.

Dan Smith

Do you agree with Dan, Gooners? If Vinícius Jr became genuinely available this summer, should Arsenal break their current wage structure to sign one of the world’s best players, or would that set a dangerous precedent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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