Why Real Madrid could sell Vinicius Jr... | Terry Gibson discusses Arsenal target's options

And just a recap of our top story, Premier League champions Arsenal are exploring a sensational deal to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.The Brazil superstar has just one year left on his current contract, hasn't been able to agree a new deal with Real as of yet and that means they may be forced to sell him rather than risk losing him.on a free transfer next summer.Arsenal have yet to make direct contact with Real over what would arguably be the biggest transfer in Premier League history.Look, let's get more on this.We're joined now by the Spanish football expert Terry Gibson.

Terry, it's always lovely to see you.First and foremost, do you think he will leave Real Madrid?

I'm not so sure, if I'm being honest.I do wonder if there's a little bit of posturing from Real Madrid.They have made an offer to...He's currently on 15 million euros a year net, so that's after tax.They've offered him 20 million, he wants 30 million.So it's about just over 550 ,000 euros a week net.

There's no budging on the contract from Real Madrid.There's no budging from Vinicius.And they're making noises, Real Madrid, now, looking already, looking at a potential replacement in Yandier Mendy from RB Leipzig.So it's kind of like they've got a year to go on Vinicius' contract.This has been ongoing now for probably 18 months where his contract hasn't been signed.The club are refusing to budge.

The players are refusing to budge.But when you put those figures in the melting pot, it's hard to imagine, even Arsenal and even anybody in the Premier League, matching those sums of money.And we're talking net, not gross.That's all after tax.So he wants £500 ,000 a week after tax.It's hard to imagine anyone else can pay that.

If Real Madrid can't, then I struggle to think anyone else can.And I do wonder whether it's Real Madrid a little bit of posture and as if to say, right, we're not budging, other cops are interested, take your pick.Or you've got to sign the contract now and we'll kill you.for another three or four years.He's 26 years of age.I don't think they're desperate to get rid of him.

I know some people are making a case that maybe it's Jose Mourinho who's trying to push him out the door because they had that controversial game against Benfica last season, where Vinicius was heavily involved in all that went on.And Jose Mourinho wasn't complimentary to him after the game.I don't think it's a case of that.I just think it's Real Madrid standing their ground, their centre, Vinicius Junior.You either stay at Real Madrid, sign a contract, or you can leave.And as I understand, he's not desperate to leave.

I think Real Madrid is still his first choice.He's going to have to budge on his demands.

Yeah, it's fascinating, isn't it?Because there's lots of kind of cogs in this wheel, isn't there?You talk about the Mourinho incident, you know, and whether that would be a part of it.It's interesting, though, because the Telegraph are reporting that Mourinho would actually oppose selling him.But I guess the bottom line is, if he won't sign a new deal, you know, if he's not getting the money that he wants, do they have no choice?I mean, they can't let him go on a free next year.

Exactly.I mean, this is, as I said, this has been going on for 18 months now, and there was talk of him going to Saudi when that was at its peak.That didn't happen.That was for, I think, something like 250 million pounds.So it'd be interesting.No one's really mentioning the actual fee itself.

Because these wages and demands are so astronomical, something we're not used to in football.We're used to players earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a week.But when you hear half a million net, that's after tax.So the club is going to have to pay considerably more than 500 ,000 pounds a week.I struggle to see any club coming up with that unless it is in Saudi.

Yeah.

So he's going to have a choice at the end of the day.Does he enjoy his football still?Does he still want to play for Real Madrid?There's not many better places to play football.Or does he just want a new experience?But I certainly don't think he'll get, let's put it together, 600 ,000, 700 ,000?

a week.

Yeah, the mind boggles, doesn't it, over the figures?Yeah.You know, and Terry, you mentioned the fact that his time in Spain has been marred by numerous instances of racist abuse.We've seen the poor lad in tears at times over what he's had to suffer.Has he given any indication, though, that he wants to leave Real Madrid, any stage?

There have been outbursts when it's been at its worst.And he is the player that suffers most.And it's, I mean, it's a hard one to understand because, you know, he's a super talented footballer.You do get that from crowds.If you're that good, you do get booed, jeered and whistled when you play away from home.But when he's singled out as often as he has been, then it has become a problem for him, particularly when he's younger.

He's 26 now.He can handle a little bit more.He shouldn't have to handle it.But when he was 19, 20, 21, in his early 20s, it was a tough watch, you know, watching a player as good as he is, going through that experience of four or five stadiums a season.It has calmed down a touch, but it's still something that he shouldn't have to suffer and we shouldn't have to suffer watching football.But there have been outbursts where he has been on the verge.

We've seen it.We've witnessed him in tears.And he's come out and said that, does he want to continue playing in La Liga?But thankfully, you know, someone that makes a living watching Spanish football, he's a joy to watch.And he hasn't decided to leave Real Madrid just yet.But this is the closest and the loudest it's ever been that he would leave.

I didn't think for one minute he would leave Real Madrid to go to any other club in Europe, ever.But it does look a possibility now.

Yes, it certainly does.You say he's a joy to watch.We've just had the luxury of watching the most talented players in the world in the World Cup over the last few weeks.Where do you rank him?Where do you rate him?

I thought he had a good World Cup, a really disappointing Brazil team.I think he responds well to playing under Carlo Ancelotti.He's exciting to watch.He got a lot of criticism when he was younger because of his end product.Do you remember he was criticized by Karim Benzema in the tunnel, telling his teammates, don't pass to Vinicius.It's like he's playing for the other team.

He showed great character moving from Brazil as a very young age.And he's overcome that difficult start that he had at Real Madrid.And he's been a super talented footballer now for the last seven or eight years.And as I said, he's fantastic to watch.In the right team, the right environment, I'm sure he will flourish.But he's not cheap.

He is not cheap.Why would he be?Look, you say you love watching him in the Spanish league.We quite like the neutrals amongst us.We quite like him in the Premier League over here.Does Arsenal seem like a good fit or is there somewhere else you think he'd fit in better?

No, I think any team, any of the top teams in the Premier League that are challenging for the title, that are challenging for the Champions League would be a good fit for him.I mean, there are attributes he has, as weaknesses that he has.I don't anticipate him doing much closing down, winning the ball back, chasing back, chasing fullbacks down the touchline.But you have to adjust for that.Now, whether Arteta is willing to do that, some managers will, some managers won't, but that's what you get from Vinicius.So, I mean, it's been an issue with him and Mbappe for the last two seasons playing together.

It hasn't been a success.They haven't won a trophy.Prior to that, Infinitius was in good form.We've been in Champions League, we've been in La Liga.So maybe Real Madrid do feel that there is a need to change, or is it just a warning to say, we don't sign the contract, we've maybe got another player lined up to take your place?It's your choice.

But that's what you get with Vinicius.On the ball, he's spectacular.But it can be problematic if he's not doing the hard work, the closing down.And we know that a lot of the top teams, top managers, particularly in the Premier League now, they like to close down from the front.And if he's not doing that, there might be a problem.

Terry, given what he's capable of and the fact that he is asking for pretty much double his wages right now, do you think Real Madrid would be foolish not to give him what he wants?

No, I don't.I think there's a limit, and there's a limit for Real Madrid as well.All their players are well -paid.He's always been well -paid.So if he's chasing the money at Real Madrid, they might be offended by that.They've gone out of their way to offer him a three or four year contract on 20 million euros plus a year after tax.

And if they feel that he's not budging from 20 and he wants 30, then I think every club has that right to turn around and say no.And I think every club has that right then to turn around and say, you've only got a year left.We're not going to run the contract down.You're not going to run the contract down.We're going to take an offer for you now.So then he has a choice to make.

So I think, as I say, I thought it was always unlikely that he would leave Real Madrid whilst in his prime.But this is getting interest in that.

It is getting interest.Just finally then, who do you think needs it most?Does Real Madrid need him or does he need Real Madrid?

He needs Real Madrid.

Interesting.Go on, explain more.

Well, I think you're talking about arguably the biggest club in Europe.And you could make a case that anywhere apart from Real Madrid is possibly a step down.We're talking, was it 14 Champions Leagues, European Cups?they are in terms of presence around the world.I can't think of anyone bigger.And that's, you know, I'm a new child.

There's clubs in England that are very, very big, but there is no one bigger than Real Madrid.It's absolutely, it's a monster of a football club.So not many players leave there in their prime to go elsewhere.I mean, we're talking recently Tony Crowe stayed to the end of his career.Luka Modric pretty much stayed very much, well, stay till he's 40s and left.You know, it's Ronaldo was probably the last one that stepped away.

And that was one of those where you thought that never happened.But if you're stubborn and you demand too much money, Real Madrid are not afraid to turn around and say, well, no, thank you very much.We're going to take the transfer fee for you.Or you can take what we're offering and stay.So I don't think Real Madrid and Florentino Perez would ever look at a player and think, you're going to hold us over a barrel.

You make a good case, as always.Lovely to talk to you.Thank you so much.We watched this one with interest.Thanks, Terry.