Vinícius wants Madrid stay
Vinícius Júnior's priority is extending his Real Madrid contract, despite Arsenal and Liverpool circling (1). Multiple sources across Spain and England confirm the Brazilian wants to stay at the Bernabéu, and Madrid have set a price for any club that tries to test that resolve (14) (16). Arsenal made exploratory contacts and were ready to offer the biggest contract in club history (3) (10) (12) (15). Finance is not a barrier. The player just does not want to leave.
Arteta set for top-earner deal
Arsenal are ready to open extension talks with Mikel Arteta that would make him the highest-paid manager in the Premier League (2). The club want to lock down the coach who delivered the title last season and took your team to a Champions League final.
Axel Donczew deal done
Arsenal have agreed to sign 16-year-old talent Axel Donczew from Cardiff City. Medical completed, deal being signed this week (4). He became Cardiff's youngest ever player in the EFL Trophy in October 2025. One for the academy pipeline.
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Community Shield locked in
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 at Wembley (6). It is your final pre-season test before the title defence begins. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli featured in the last meeting between these sides.
Reiss Nelson decision looms
Reiss Nelson has one year left on his contract and Arsenal face a difficult call: trim the squad or risk losing a Hale End graduate for nothing (9). Andrea Berta will have a say. No offers reported yet, but the clock is ticking.
Bruno Guimarães talks could accelerate
Arsenal are linked with accelerating talks for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães (14). The same report notes PSG value Bradley Barcola at £145m, with both Arsenal and Liverpool interested (13) (14).
Brighton reject Cozier-Duberry bid
Brighton turned down a £5m bid from Anderlecht for former Arsenal academy winger Amario Cozier-Duberry (8). He left Arsenal for Brighton and is now attracting interest from Belgium.
Fan reactions
The Vinícius story has split opinion. Some fans see the record-contract talk as a genuine statement of ambition from the board, while others are sceptical, pointing out that Madrid reportedly ceding part of the fee sounds far-fetched (3). A separate thread captured the pre-season mood more simply: the squad are Girona-bound for the next friendly, and fans are just ready for football to start again (4) (5).
