$39m-a-year deal that could rock PL; record at risk again in Reds blockbuster — Transfer latest

Premier League champions Arsenal are reportedly willing to break the bank to secure the signature of Brazil superstar Vinicius Junior.

The Gunners are prepared to offer the Real Madrid winger the biggest contract in the club’s history to pull off the big name signing and bolster their title defence, according to The Telegraph.

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Vinicius currently earns £400,000 ($763,104) a week, but Arsenal are open to lifting that figure even higher if the 26-year-old, who scored four goals at the World Cup, chooses to call the Emirates home.

By comparison, Bukayo Saka is on a deal worth £365,000 ($696,330) per week that rises each year until 2030.

The latest report comes after the news broke over the weekend that Mikel Arteta is eager to add the superstar to his squad, which broke a 22-year title drought last season but came up short of claiming a double by losing the Champions League final to PSG.

Liverpool overhauled their squad last season after winning the league by spending big on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

The Reds then lacked cohesion in a lame title defence that led to Arne Slot’s sacking.

Having observed that approach at Anfield, Arsenal are keen to go in a different direction by landing on massive signing to add to their title-winning squad.

Greek winger Christos Tzolis and French goalkeeper Illan Meslier are the only other additions so far.

New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to roadblock any move for Vinicius.

Even if the Portuguese manager may be one of the reasons why the Brazilian could leave the Spanish capital.

In his post-match press conference, then Benfica manager Mourinho defended Gianluca Prestianni after he allegedly racially abused Vinicius during a Champions League game in February.

It is unknown whether there is bad blood between the pair, but Mourinho does not want to lose any of Los Blancos’ superstars in his return to the Bernabeu.

Hanging over the club’s head, however, is Vinicius having one year remaining on his contract.

Real Madrid would not want to lose him on a free transfer next summer transfer window.

They have a replacement lined up for Vinicius if he does depart.

Real are set to beat PSG, who have formally withdrawn their interest, and Liverpool for the signature of 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for more than £100m after he impressed during the World Cup.

“Vinicius Jr is currently on 15m Euros a year net,” Spanish football expert Terry Gibson told Sky Sports News.

“Real Madrid have offered him 20m Euros. He wants 30m Euros ($48.9m) - just over 550,000 Euros a week net.

“There’s no budging on the contract from Real Madrid or Vinicius. Real Madrid are looking at a potential replacement in Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. This [contract situation] has been ongoing for 18 months.

“But when you put those figures in the melting pot, it’s hard to imagine Arsenal or anybody in the Premier League matching those sums of money.”

Madrid have already signed Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries this transfer window.

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LIVERPOOL MAY HAVE TO BREAK TRANSFER RECORD AGAIN

Liverpool will be forced to break the Premier League transfer record if they are to sign Bradley Barcola as their Mohamed Salah replacement.

Barcola is allegedly interest, but PSG want £145m ($276.63m) for the winger, who scored three goals and provided an assist for France at the World Cup, according to The Telegraph.

Liverpool were linked with Barcola last year, but a £70m ($133.54m) move did not eventuate.

If they are to secure the 23-year-old as their long-term Salah replacement, the Reds will have to pay more than double what they might have 12 months ago.

Arsenal and Chelsea have also reportedly been keeping an eye on Barcola, who scored 13 goals and provided four assists across all competitions for the Champions League winners last season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been urged by many in the English press to join the race of England defender John Stones.

The free agent, who departed Manchester City before the World Cup, has attracted interest from Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Following Joe Gomez’s injury in Andoni Iraoloa’s first game in charge, a 4-2 pre-season friendly victory against Sunderland in Nashville, Liverpool’s defensive depth was once again in the spotlight.

“It would be absurd to start using words such as “crisis” but Liverpool do have an issue to solve, one that was exacerbated by Gomez’s withdrawal. The defence is a major worry and they need to be careful about running out of bodies,” The Telegraph’s Merseyside football reporter Dominic King wrote.

“Jacquet and Leoni are the future, but Leoni is not involved in full training yet, following his cruciate ligament injury last September, while Jacquet is going to need time to adjust after five months out with a significant shoulder injury.

“There is an answer staring Liverpool in the face if they wish to pursue it: John Stones. Some of Liverpool’s best transfers were shrewd and free – think of Gary McAllister and Markus Babbel (2000) and James Milner (2015). The England international would tick so many boxes.

“Apart from vast experience and winner’s pedigree, Stones is a class act professionally and personally. Yes, he has had fitness issues during his career, but what an addition he would be. Put another way: if Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus and Bayern Munich are looking at him, should not Liverpool?”

NEWCASTLE STAR WON’T FOLLOW ISAK’S LEAD

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe believes Bruno Guimarães will not hold the club to ransom to make a move to Arsenal like how Alexander Isak departed St James’ Park for Liverpool last year.

Howe told reporters following his side’s 1-1 draw with fifth tier club Gateshead in a pre-season friendly that he cannot guarantee the Brazilian would be at the club going forward, but stressed that his transfer situation will not divulge into a circus like Isak’s saga.

The standoff at the moment is financially based.

Newcastle value Guimarães at £100m ($190.8m), while Arsenal are reportedly only willing to pay roughly £60m ($114.5m) including bonuses for the 28-year-old midfielder.

“I’ve spoken to him as I would do with Bruno normally. He is a fantastic person and we have had some really good conversations both before, during and after the World Cup. What we speak about obviously has to remain private but he is a great player and a great person,” Howe said.

“Look, I don’t know what is going to happen with Bruno. That is up to other people to speculate about but also other people to have conversations about which I’m not a part of. I don’t think it is fair to compare situations and what happened previously. You’ve got to look at this in its own right.

“Bruno is captain of our football club. He has been an unbelievable player and person all the time we have worked together. I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club when I say we absolutely love him and of course everyone wants him to stay.

“The plan is for him to come back on July 31, he gets an extended break because of the World Cup and is currently enjoying a holiday with his family... There is nothing to say that Bruno won’t be back training with us.”

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