Neville Doubts Arsenal Can Lure Vinicius Jr Away From Real Madrid

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has played down Arsenal’s chances of signing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, insisting the Spanish giants remain difficult to beat when it comes to retaining and attracting the world’s elite players.

Arsenal have reportedly been monitoring the 26-year-old Brazil international, whose contract is entering its final 12 months. However, with Real Madrid increasingly confident of extending his stay, Neville believes the Gunners face a formidable task in attempting to prise him away from the Bernabéu.

“It would’ve been a spectacular signing, but I’m not surprised he would stay in Madrid,” Neville told Sky Sports.

The former England international argued that Premier League clubs rarely succeed in luring the world’s best players away from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“We very rarely beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the top players in the world,” he said.

Neville also suggested that the Premier League’s global appeal has been driven more by the quality of managers attracted to England than by the ability of its clubs to consistently outbid Spain’s two biggest clubs for elite players.

“I’m more interested in the best managers coming to the Premier League than the players,” he added.

Vinicius has established himself as one of Real Madrid’s most influential attacking players since joining the club from Flamengo, helping them to major domestic and European honours.

With Real Madrid determined to secure his long-term future, Arsenal’s reported interest could ultimately prove difficult to turn into a deal.