Arsenal assistant confirms Vinicius Junior was a target
Arsenal assistant coach Miguel Molina has confirmed that the club discussed a potential move for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during the summer transfer window.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Ank kumar
Arsenal's coaching staff weighed up a sensational move to sign Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the summer 2026 transfer window. The club's interest in the Brazilian international was confirmed directly by assistant manager Miguel Molina.
Speaking on the Spanish radio show La Tribu, Molina was asked by journalist Pablo Villa about the speculation surrounding the forward. Addressing whether the coaching staff had discussed the player, the assistant coach stated: "Yes, of course. Obviously, I can't ignore reality, but it was a name that was on the table, yes."
The potential move failed to materialize as the forward opted to commit his long-term future to the Santiago Bernabeu, signing a deal that runs until 2032.
Beyond transfer discussions, Molina praised the demanding culture Mikel Arteta has instilled at the club. "He's the first to arrive and the last to leave. He's very intense, a super demanding guy," Molina added. "His best quality is that he's able to bring out the best in the people around him, both the players and the staff, because ultimately he's the greatest example of hard work and quality in that work."