Arsenal's Pursuit of Vinicius Junior Ends: What's Next?

Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Junior is over. The dream target has chosen the Bernabeu over north London, signing a new six-year deal with Real Madrid and closing the door on one of the boldest moves of the summer.

Arsenal had pushed hard. A serious bid went in, personal terms were close, and the idea of Vinicius tearing down the left at the Emirates was no longer pure fantasy inside the club. Then came the decisive twist: the Brazilian committed his long-term future to Madrid, and the Gunners were forced back to the drawing board.

They will not stay there for long.

Arteta’s left-wing puzzle

Mikel Arteta still wants a top-tier left winger. That part has not changed. According to the Independent, Arsenal have already drawn up a three-man shortlist as they look for the kind of wide player who can shift a title race.

Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez sits high on that list. Arteta is a huge admirer of the Argentine, seeing in him the blend of work-rate, intelligence and end-product that fits seamlessly into his system. The admiration is clear; the deal is anything but.

Atletico have made their stance unmistakable: Alvarez is not for sale. Barcelona are also strong contenders for the forward, turning an already complicated pursuit into a full-scale tug of war. Any move would require not just money, but persuasion on several fronts.

So Arsenal scan the board and move to the next option.

Barcola in demand

Bradley Barcola offers a different profile but the same level of intrigue. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, under contract at Parc des Princes until 2028, has refused to sign a new deal. That single decision has alerted some of Europe’s most aggressive recruiters.

Liverpool are preparing to test PSG’s resolve with a €115m bid. The French champions, for now, value Barcola closer to €150m, a figure that underlines how highly they rate the 21-year-old. Arsenal see him as a live option, but they are not alone and they are certainly not dealing in a buyer’s market.

If Barcola moves this summer, it will be on heavyweight terms.

Ndiaye, the Premier League route

The third name on Arsenal’s list keeps the search closer to home. Iliman Ndiaye has emerged as another serious candidate, the Everton forward coming off a season in which he scored six goals and added three assists.

His impact has not been limited to club football. Ndiaye also found the net for Senegal in a World Cup group game against Iraq, a moment that added international weight to his growing reputation.

Any attempt to prise him away from Goodison Park will be costly. Everton have the Senegal international tied down until 2029 and are under no pressure to sell. With that security, they can demand a premium fee from any suitor, Arsenal included.

The message is clear: if the Gunners want Ndiaye, they will have to pay for the privilege.

Vinicius Junior will not be walking out at the Emirates in red and white. Arsenal must now decide which path they take instead: wrestle with Atletico and Barcelona for Alvarez, enter a bidding war with Liverpool for Barcola, or try to break Everton’s resistance for Ndiaye.

The left flank is waiting. How much are they prepared to spend to fill it?