MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group B stage match between Real Madrid and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano on December 09, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
According to El Confidencial (h/t Football.london), Arsenal have been alerted to the availability of Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid are said to be open to hearing offers for the 20-year-old Brazilian as he does not feature in the plans of Zinedine Zidane.
For a player who was once seen as the brightest spot in the team, it surely has been a sharp fall for Vinicius. Despite arriving two years ago, Vinicius has never really established himself at the Santiago Bernabeu and has scored just 11 goals from 87 appearances across all competitions so far.
While he provides drive and energy in the side, his finishing is close to non-existent. He can carve out chances with his dribbling and trickery but can fluff his lines when it comes to scoring goals.
He is clearly not a favourite of Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane either, with the Frenchman preferring newcomer Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and teenager Rodrygo ahead of him in the first-team setup.
For a team that is struggling to put goals on the table or create enough chances, it surely does not look like a good decision bringing in a player who is perhaps not one of the better finishers. Arsenal already have a line of misfiring forwards in Willian, Aubameyang and Lacazette.
At this point, Arsenal need a forward who just comes in and starts firing the goals or creating goals. Vinicius Jr. is a good talent but he is still not the finished product Arsenal so desperately need right now.
He may well add that youthful exuberance and liveliness to the side but Arsenal should be focussing on experienced goalscorers. There also remains questions about his attitude as Zinedine Zidane hasn’t been able to get the best out of him in the time he has managed the Brazilian.
Even if it is just a temporary deal, Arsenal should still try not to get into this deal. There are no visible upsides to this transfer and they are not getting a player in a position they need – a No.10. So they should rather focus their efforts on that instead of trying to sign Vinicus Junior.