Arsenal assistant coach Miguel Molina has provided the clearest confirmation yet that Vinicius Junior was discussed as a potential signing during the summer transfer window.
The Real Madrid forward featured heavily in transfer speculation before eventually committing his long-term future to the Spanish giants.
Arsenal’s interest had previously been reported by several sources, and Read Arsenal fact-checked the Vinicius links during the summer.
Molina has now acknowledged that the Brazil international’s name genuinely came up inside the club.
Miguel Molina confirms Arsenal discussed Vinicius
Molina was asked directly about Arsenal’s interest during an appearance on Radio MARCA’s La Tribu.
The full interview with Mikel Arteta’s assistant was published on Friday.
When questioned about Vinicius, Molina said:
“Obviously, I can’t stray from the facts, but he was a name that was on the table, yes.”
The comment is significant because Arsenal themselves had never publicly confirmed the extent of their interest.
It does not establish that the Gunners submitted a formal bid or reached an agreement with either Real Madrid or Vinicius.
It does, however, confirm that the possibility was considered internally.
Arsenal’s Vinicius pursuit ended with Real Madrid renewal
Vinicius’ contractual situation created the opportunity.
The winger had entered the final year of his previous deal while negotiations over an extension continued, prompting Arsenal and other clubs to monitor developments.
Read Arsenal reported in July that Arsenal were prepared to explore an ambitious deal for Vinicius if an agreement with Madrid could not be reached.
That window eventually closed.
Real Madrid officially announced in August that Vinicius had extended his contract until June 2032.
The 26-year-old has made 375 appearances and scored 128 goals for Madrid since joining from Flamengo, while winning two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns.
What Molina’s comments tell us about Arsenal
The most interesting part of Molina’s admission is not that Arsenal failed to sign Vinicius.
That outcome has been known for weeks.
Instead, his comments strengthen the evidence that Arsenal were prepared to consider an elite, transformational addition on the left side of Arteta’s attack.
The club eventually moved into the season without Vinicius after his Madrid renewal removed any realistic possibility of a transfer.
Arsenal subsequently strengthened other areas of the squad, while Christos Tzolis has been given an important role following his summer arrival.
For now, Vinicius remains firmly a Real Madrid player.
But Molina’s admission confirms that one of world football’s biggest attacking names was genuinely part of Arsenal’s summer discussions rather than simply another transfer-window rumour.
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