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Winners And Losers Of Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior

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Arsenal are exploring a sensational move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, as Mikel Arteta’s summer transfer plans finally start to kick into gear.

The Gunners have had a slow start to the window, with their only pieces of confirmed business being the signings of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds. While there is some excitement over Tzolis, these deals are hardly ones to get the pulses racing in North London.

A formal offer for Vinicius certainly would, though. Reputable journalist David Ornstein revealed on Saturday that a deal for the Real Madrid star is plausible, with the 26-year-old entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu.

If developments aren’t made in negotiations over a fresh deal in the next week or so, then Arsenal are on hand to pounce.

With that said, we take a look at the winners and losers of Vinicius’ prospective move to the Emirates.

Vinicius Junior’s 2025/26 Statistics per 90 (La Liga Only)

Stat

Value

Percentile Rank

Goals

0.51

74th

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.31

38th

Shots

3.22

82nd

Expected Assists

0.18

93rd

Successful Passes

29.9

94th

Successful Dribbles

2.77

97th

Winners From Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka

For too long, Bukayo Saka has carried the burden of being Arsenal’s standout attacking threat. Opponents have increasingly built their defensive plans around stopping him, safe in the knowledge that few other players consistently punish the extra attention he receives.

Vinicius would make that approach far riskier. His ability to burst down the left and threaten the goal himself means teams couldn’t simply overload Saka’s side without leaving dangerous spaces elsewhere.

Whether defenders shift across to contain Saka or stay on the left to deal with Vinicius, Arsenal would finally have two genuine ball-carrying, goal-threatening outlets capable of exploiting the gaps. It’s exactly the kind of variety Arteta’s attack has been lacking.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard reacts
Premier League – Everton v Arsenal – Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain – December 20, 2025 Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard reacts Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Martin Odegaard orchestrates the bulk of Arsenal’s attacks. The Norwegian sits in the right half-space and dictates the tempo of the Gunners’ football, distributing the ball to the two wide men, who are then obliged to make something happen in the final third.

In his five-and-a-half years in N5, Odegaard has been heavily reliant on Saka’s output on the right. He has fed Saka in dangerous spaces consistently, without being able to trust the man on the opposite flank.

With Vinicius, the Arsenal captain will finally have someone he can regularly feed on the left, who can actually start producing on this side. This could have a hugely positive effect on Odegaard’s assist numbers, improving the public perception of his work.

Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie in action for Arsenal against Wolves in the Premier League

Arsenal undoubtedly view Vinicius as a potential saviour to their left wing woes. These reports are validated by the suggestion that Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is seen as an alternative, clearly demonstrating their vision for the Brazilian.

If Vinicius does indeed arrive in North London, he may not play as an archetypal winger. It’s possible he’ll be deployed in more of a narrow role, which would allow him to pick the ball up in the pockets and in the half-spaces.

This should, in theory, benefit Piero Hincapie, who looked much better when he had Leandro Trossard or Eberechi Eze operating in this narrow role ahead of him on the left. Hincapie is much more comfortable playing on the outside and overlapping his winger, rather than playing inside and inverting into midfield as Riccardo Calafiori does.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Losers From Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior

Gabriel Martinelli

martinelli arsenal

Vinicius’ arrival as a potential left-winger at Arsenal would essentially put an end to Gabriel Martinelli’s career at the Emirates Stadium. If the Gunners are willing to fork out in excess of £100 million on the 26-year-old to predominantly play on this flank, it means they don’t believe in their existing Brazilian left-winger to produce what is required.

Arsenal have already sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for £17 million this summer, and Martinellli could soon follow.

Even if he stays in North London, Vinicius’ signing could be the final nail in the coffin for the former Ituano man’s prospects of being Arsenal’s star left-winger. He may not stay, however, with Bayern Munich understood to be interested in the 25-year-old.

Christos Tzolis

Christos Tzolis via Reuters

Christos Tzolis likely knew that he was signing up for something of a squad role when agreeing to join Arsenal from Club Brugge. Rarely does a player jump from the Belgian league to a top-six Premier League club, for just £34 million, and immediately assume a starring role.

The Greek was probably aware that he’d have to bide his time in Islington and wait for an opportunity to stake a claim to be the first-choice option on the left flank under Arteta. He likely expected a Barcola or a Nico Williams to arrive to compete with him — excellent players but not indispensable figures.

Just days after his move to the Emirates became public, reports linking Arsenal to the best left forward in world football have emerged. Tzolis may now be ruing his decision to swap Brugge for the British capital, not because he doesn’t back himself to succeed, but because he may be competing for minutes with a bona fide superstar.

If Vinicius signs for the Gunners, he’ll expect to play almost every available minute in the league and the Champions League. He can’t just be a regular starter, but he’ll need to be the key pillar that Arteta builds the team around if he agrees to join the North London club.

That leaves Tzolis in a difficult position, desperately fighting for the odd cameo or appearance in cup competitions. While his switch to Arsenal could still work wonders for his status in European football, he may not be called upon anywhere near as regularly as he might’ve expected when first hearing of the Gunners’ interest in him.

All Statistics via FotMob — correct as of 25/07/2026

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Carlos Baleba Could Push to Join Man Utd

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Manchester United’s pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba is not dead in the water, according to a report by Dylan McBennett.

The Red Devils have already completed the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to bolster their midfield, as they move ahead with a major rebuild following the departure of Casemiro and the injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte.

But the club are yet to make a final decision on who the third midfield signing will be, with INEOS adamant they will not overpay in an expensive market. A number of names have been linked to Old Trafford, and Baleba remains a long-term target, which means no deal is dead at this stage.

Baleba Could Push for Man Utd Transfer

brighton carlos baleba

Baleba, who has been described as ‘world-class’, was a target for the Reds last summer, but Brighton’s £100m valuation put them off proceeding at the time.

The Cameroon international went on to have a difficult season, with many suggesting that the interest from Old Trafford had turned his head. It’s now understood that Brighton are open to a sale in this window if they get the right offer, with their asking price believed to have dropped to around £80m.

But United don’t value him at that price, and as a result have been looking at alternative options. However, it has now emerged that they have not made a final decision yet, and a move for Baleba is still considered to be a ‘very real possibility’.

In fact, the 22-year-old has even been tipped to potentially push for a move to go through, having already agreed personal terms with the club last year, and with fresh talks being opened earlier this week.

With no final decision made yet, United remain open to the possibility of signing Baleba in this window, and the situation remains one to keep a close eye on in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Baleba the Perfect Midfield Addition

Carlos Baleba during a Brighton & Hove Albion pre-match warm-up via Reuters

Man Utd are looking to have more control of games in the coming season, and that means better ball retention in midfield. It also means they need to win the ball back quicker when they’re out of possession, and Baleba helps with all of that.

His attributes are exactly what the club are understood to be targeting, and he is at the perfect age to make the step up and continue to develop and improve. He also fits in perfectly alongside all of the current midfield options.

Brighton are known to be stern negotiators, but sometimes as the buying club you have to just pay the money to sign the player that your team needs, and this feels like one of those situations for Man Utd.

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Leeds Want to Sign ‘Superb’ Striker in £18.9M Deal

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An update has landed on Leeds United pursuing a new striker, and it’s not good news for Daniel Farke.

The Peacocks are preparing for a second season in the Premier League and looking to strengthen their squad following a 14th-placed finish last season. Two new players have arrived thus far, with Harry Wilson joining as a free agent after leaving Fulham and Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic joining for £34 million.

A new forward is on the agenda, and several names have been linked with moves to Elland Road. They have been eyeing Muharemovic’s international teammate, Ermedin Demirovic, who has impressed in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart.

Leeds Chasing Stuttgart’s Demirovic

Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic

Demirovic is fresh off the back of representing his country at the World Cup, and he was a key man alongside Muharemovic. Leeds are seemingly keen to have the Bosnians link up under Farke.

Bosnian outlet Slobodna Bosna reports that the Peacocks are “very keen” on signing the 28-year-old and believe he fits the profile of a physically strong and experienced frontman. He has two years left on his contract with Stuttgart where he’s leading the line under Sebastian Hoeneß.

Demirovic, dubbed “superb” netted 12 goals in 25 Bundesliga games last season, helping his side qualify for next season’s Champions League. As such, he is said to be happy at the club and could be motivated to stay put ahead of playing in Europe’s elite club competition.

The Bosnian frontman is thought to be valued at around €22 million (£18.9m) which is a reasonable fee given his impressive form last season. It remains to be seen whether Farke can convince him to leave the German outfit and head to Elland Road.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Demirovic Could Thrive Under Farke

Daniel Farke

Moving for a striker from abroad often leads to either huge success or bitter disappointment. But Demirovic’s experience could help him adjust to life in the Premier League as he’s been on the move throughout his career.

It is noted that Stuttgart could find it difficult to turn down a “serious offer” for the player. Leeds won’t want to overpay though and the aforementioned fee is ideal, allowing Farke’s transfer chiefs to further strengthen the squad.

A new goalkeeper remains a priority following Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier’s exits, while a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles has taken twists and turns. The team are gearing up for the new season and the potential arrival of Demirovic could be a massive statement of intent.

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Tottenham Can Save Millions On Savinho Transfer With ‘Special’ Player Plan

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The 2026/27 Premier League season is edging ever closer and Tottenham will be looking to improve on what they did in the 2025/26 campaign.

Spurs finished just one place above the Premier League relegation zone in 17th place – the second successive season they were battling at the bottom of the table – avoiding relegation only on the final day of the campaign.

New head coach Roberto De Zerbi was the hero, coming in at the end of March as Spurs’ third different head coach, to guide the Lilywhites to safety with 11 points from their final seven games.

Big changes are taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Jan Paul Van Hecke
Jan Paul Van Hecke

The revolution in N17 is well under way, with Tottenham having made six new signings and allowed eight players to leave. Among those to have left are a number of young players, who have gone off in search of game time elsewhere, fearing they will not get it at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Luka Vuskovic, Will Lankshear and Alfie Devine are three players in that boat to have departed, with Lucas Bergvall another who could follow them, with reports that he is keen to leave. Nottingham Forest have had a £46million bid turned down, with Newcastle also understood to be interested.

One of those De Zerbi might do well to ensure does not follow suit, however, is Mikey Moore.

Still only 18 years old, the Tottenham youth product enjoyed a profitable loan spell away from the club last season, plying his trade north of the border with Rangers.

While the Glasgow giants may have fallen short in the Scottish Premiership title race, Moore impressed, playing 47 times, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

He had his own issues, with two different managers at Ibrox last season in Russell Martin first and then Danny Rohl. And Rangers have a new boss for the forthcoming 2026/27 campaign too – Derek McInnes taking over.

Mikey Moore ready for the Premier League now

Rangers star Mikey Moore gets the ball via Reuters

After a season in the Scottish Premiership, Moore will be looking to flex his muscle and prove he can do it in one of Europe’s big leagues.

Having spent big money on bolstering the defence and midfield at Tottenham so far, De Zerbi is looking to add strength in depth to the forward line, with Spurs in talks to sign Savinho from Manchester City. That deal is likely to cost around £65million, but De Zerbi could save that money and spend it elsewhere by giving Moore a chance to shine.

Young players coming through from the academy has been a problem in the last couple of years, with Spurs only able to name a 23-man squad in Europe because they did not have enough ‘club-trained’ players to fill the UEFA quota.

At 18 Moore would not change that, and with Spurs not in Europe in the coming season that does not matter, but supporters love nothing more than seeing a young academy player rise through the ranks to the big stage.

And people at Spurs, past and present, believe he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou was a big fan of Mikey Moore

Ange Postecoglou

Prior to leaving the club on loan, previous Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou described Moore as a “special player”.

Postecoglou said after throwing him into a Europa League starting XI at the age of 17: “Every time we were on the ball I was willing the boys to pass it to him, because he’s got that ability to go past people, which is the hardest thing to do in our game apart from scoring goals. If he’s not successful, it doesn’t faze him, he’ll just go again.”

“He’s just turned 17, but even physically, he’s such a strong young man. He was brilliant, but he’s been brilliant every time he’s played for us. For us, he’s going to be a pretty special player.”

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

James Maddison even compared him to Neymar after a win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League final run.

Maddison said: “I thought we had Neymar on the left wing! He is fearless, [he has] that young, fearless mentality. He’s a brilliant lad, he has bags of ability. I will hopefully help him with wise words but he has all the ability and well done to him.”

Moore may not be an actual new signing, but he would be like a new signing for De Zerbi, having never played under him before. Moore can show the Italian what he can do having been named in Spurs’ squad for the pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia, with games against Auckland, Sydney and Chelsea to come.

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