Arsenal’s Vinicius Jr alternatives: Dream target revealed as Premier League winger discussed

Arsenal are interested in signing Julian Alvarez, Iliman Ndiaye or Bradley Barcola after missing out on Vinicius Junior, talkSPORT understands.

After a high-profile contract saga, the Gunners’ hopes of signing Vinicius Jr have now officially ended as Real Madrid confirmed the Brazilian superstar had signed a new six-year deal with the club.

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The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a summer departure to the Emirates, amid reports of a stand-off over a new contract.

Before signing his latest deal, Vinicius had only a year left on his Los Blancos contract.

talkSPORT reported last week that Arsenal were weighing up an approach for the winger, though they were believed to have always viewed him as an option rather than their top target.

And any hopes of a blockbuster move ended on Thursday night, when Vinicius finally put pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Back to the drawing board

After seeing their dreams of signing Vinicius go up in smoke, Arsenal will now begin their search for alternative attacking targets.

Mikel Arteta has been keen to strengthen at left-wing this summer, already signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge after Leandro Trossard left to join Besiktas.

talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs provided the latest on their next move on Transfer Insiders, and he revealed that Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez is high up on the Gunners’ list.

Arsenal have previously been linked with the Argentina forward, who has publicly informed Atletico that he wants to be sold, with Barcelona his preferred destination despite reaching a standoff with their LaLiga rivals after a failed £86million bid.

Jacobs told talkSPORT: “Arsenal are now still going to add some form of either left-sided or versatile attacker. 

“Not all the profiles are identical to Vinicius Junior, but Julian Alvarez is one possibility if Atleti decide to sell.

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“We know they’d prefer to keep. Barcelona would love Julian Alvarez as well but Atleti may prefer, if they realise the player wants to leave, to sell outside of La Liga. So he’s a dream target.”

Do or Ndiaye?

Aside from Alvarez, Jacobs then suggested Arsenal could look to Premier League rivals Everton, with Iliman Ndiaye another option.

talkSPORT understands the Senegal international is not a high priority for the Gunners, although he would appear open to a move away, having turned down a new contract offer at the Toffees earlier this summer.

Ndiaye has impressed since moving to Merseyside in 2024, and also has interest from Manchester United and Al Hilal, with the Saudi outfit currently pushing for his signature.

Jacobs continued: “Iliman Ndiaye has been discussed as well and there’ll be other options too. Some will say Bradley Barcola.”

Barcola update

Moving on to another of this summer’s biggest transfer stories, Jacobs insisted Paris Saint-Germain forward Barcola remains an option for Arsenal.

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talkSPORT has previously revealed the France forward would like to join Liverpool – who are readying a €100million (around £85m) offer, plus add-ons for the star – with Arsenal also known admirers.

But with the Reds’ figure falling significantly short of PSG‘s starting valuation of €170m (around £145m), Jacobs insisted they could still land Barcola’s signature by outbidding their league rivals.

Jacobs added: “If Arsenal want Bradley Barcola their tactic has to be to gazump Liverpool, because the player wants Liverpool.

“But PSG want €170million – so Arsenal would have to overpay and hope that Liverpool back off. But he’s a possibility too. 

“So Arsenal are still going to be busy between now and the end of the window.”