The Vinicius Junior transfer – Is it all smoke and mirrors ?

So Arsenal are reportedly chasing the signature of Madrid star Vinicius Jnr but are they really ?

Some say it’s a smokescreen to cover Berta’s footsteps while he plots a move for an alternative transfer target but if it’s not, is it worth putting the club under pressure to pay £470,000 per week and causing issues with our existing players.

Let’s be real here, if you were a consistent player involved in winning the first title for 22 years and another player signed on for double your wage, wouldn’t you be annoyed and feel undervalued.

Wouldn’t it make you revise your own deal and in the process escalate the wage structure for individuals when renegotiating.

Is Vini Jnr worth that staggering weekly wage ? –

Yes and No.
He is a fabulously talented player that is at the elite level.
One of a select few from a small pool of top global talent and just by obtaining his signature, Arsenal as a club raise their profile around the World with the possibility of increased sponsorship.

It’s not all about the player –

Not all signings are about talent, they are also about providing a platform for financial opportunities and none more so than that of Junichi Inamoto who transferred from Gamba Osaka in 2001.

This amplified the clubs profile significantly in Japan and increased its popularity substantially.
Television coverage drew larger audiences, training sessions attracted bigger crowds and Arsenal established a longterm fan base as a result.

I’m just throwing it out there that there are two ends to a ball of string and not everything is black and white.

In 2013 Arsenal jokingly offered £40,000,001 for Luis Suarez to trigger his release cause.
This irritated the player and Liverpool football club for the barefaced cheek of bidding a £1 over the odds but it attracted huge publicity, not that it was seen as a good thing.

The exact reason behind that bizarre bid wasn’t clear but remember they never followed up.

It’s unlikely Arsenal can pull a deal off for Vini Jnr. Madrid want him to stay, he already has a high profile and is financially secure, so where is the gain ?

If rumours are to be believed there is one option we haven’t considered.
Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of Riccardo Calafiori and has his eye on bringing the Italian to Spain.
That appears to be the simplest way to broker any potential deal but I’m not that keen.

That leaves us a player short who is excellent in attack and defence. Someone who adds grit ,solidity and versatility to the backline.

You also have to factor in the physicality of the premier league which can be both demanding and frustrating.
We have no idea how Vinicius Jnr would cope whereas Calafiori would just step straight in at Madrid without even blinking.