Arsenal's pursuit of another attacking star has taken a frustrating turn, with Vinicius Jr committing his future to Real Madrid until June 2032. The winger's new contract closes the door on one of the Gunners' most ambitious targets, but former Arsenal captain William Gallas believes Marcus Rashford could be the perfect alternative.
Key Highlights
- Vinicius Jr has signed a new Real Madrid contract keeping him at the Bernabeu until June 2032, ending Arsenal's hopes of landing the Brazilian star.
- William Gallas has backed Marcus Rashford as a high-quality attacking option for Arsenal.
- Manchester United are reportedly prepared to sell Rashford for around £40 million, although moves to Manchester City or Liverpool would be blocked.
- Arsenal have already signed Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier as Arteta continues reshaping his squad.
Arsenal Miss Out on Vinicius Jr
Arsenal's hopes of securing a marquee attacking signing have been dashed after Vinicius Jr agreed to extend his stay at Real Madrid until June 2032. The Gunners had identified an opportunity during the Brazilian's tense contract negotiations with the Spanish giants, with Mikel Arteta even sending personal messages to the forward.
With Arsenal looking to build on their recent Premier League title triumph, the focus now turns to whether Rashford can provide the attacking depth and experience Mikel Arteta needs for another demanding campaign. For Arteta, the challenge is finding another way to add firepower to a squad that has recently lifted the Premier League title.
Gallas Puts Rashford Forward
With Vinicius no longer available, former Arsenal captain William Gallas believes Marcus Rashford could offer the Gunners a strong alternative. The England international remains in limbo following the conclusion of his loan spell at Barcelona, with no permanent move secured.
Gallas believes the 28-year-old could add valuable depth and quality to an Arsenal side preparing to compete on multiple fronts. “Of course, Marcus Rashford would be a great option for Arsenal’s attack. I think he had a great season, and I’m sure some clubs will try to jump on that situation. I don’t think he will stay at Manchester United. I’m not sure why no one has signed him yet, maybe because the price is too high.”
The former Arsenal captain also believes Rashford's desire to leave Old Trafford is clear. “He wants to leave Man United, otherwise, he would not have gone on loan to Barcelona. He will try to find a solution to leave the club and to sign a long contract with another British club.” But one major question remains: will Manchester United agree to sell?
Rashford’s Manchester United Future Remains Unclear
United are reportedly willing to sanction Rashford's departure for a fee in the region of £40 million. However, that valuation comes with an important caveat. The Red Devils are understood to be unwilling to allow the forward to join domestic rivals Manchester City or Liverpool.
Rashford spent the previous campaign on loan in La Liga, but Barcelona manager Hansi Flick recently confirmed that the Catalan club had opted against making the move permanent while pursuing other targets.
Flick Praises Rashford’s Character
Despite Barcelona's decision, Flick had plenty of praise for Rashford when reflecting on his time in Spain. “What I can say about Marcus is I appreciate a lot to work with him,” Flick said.
The Barcelona boss also acknowledged the uncertainty that can surround loan players while making it clear that he valued the England international's presence. For Rashford, the next move could now become one of the biggest decisions of his career.
Arsenal’s Summer Plans Continue
Missing out on Vinicius is undoubtedly a setback, but Arsenal have already been busy in the transfer market. The Gunners have secured deals for Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier this summer as Arteta looks to strengthen the squad following their Premier League triumph.
The priority now is avoiding complacency. With a demanding season ahead, adding another experienced forward could give Arsenal the depth required to compete across multiple competitions.
Arteta Faces a Busy Start
Arsenal's new campaign begins with a Community Shield clash against Manchester City, before their Premier League title defence gets underway against Coventry City on August 21. That leaves Arteta with little time to integrate any late attacking additions. Vinicius may have slipped out of Arsenal's reach, but if Gallas gets his wish, Marcus Rashford could become the next big attacking name to arrive in north London.
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