Arsenal are believed to be pushing on with a deal to sign Vinicius Junior, and one old endorsement from a club legend has taken on fresh relevance amid the growing links.

It wasn’t long ago that a certain Gunners great went on record with a bold verdict on the Brazilian, one that looks more significant than ever given the position Vinicius would be arriving to fill.

Should the move go through, it would rank among the biggest signings in Premier League history, while also handing Mikel Arteta a long-term answer to his search for a new threat on the left flank, after letting go of Leandro Trossard, who kept Gabriel Martinelli out of the side for most of last season.

Thierry Henry Rated Vinicius Junior in Interesting Verdict

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Back in 2024 at the Champions League final, a match in which Vinicius and Real Madrid won 2-0, Thierry Henry was asked by Jamie Carragher whether he considered Vinicius the best player in the world. His answer left little room for doubt:

He did add some nuance, though, pointing to how individual honours can shift depending on international tournaments. “It can change. Because, we all know, people talk about Ballon d’Or all the time, Copa America and the Euros will dictate that. It will not stop because of this game, even if Vinicius scores or Bellingham scores and Real Madrid win, the Euro or the Copa America will have an impact on who gets the Ballon d’Or. But, right now, this guy is ahead for me.”

It was a statement that turned out to be completely true. Vini missed out on that year’s Ballon d’Or to Rodri of Manchester City, who, within weeks of Henry’s comments, turned in a Player of the Tournament performance to help Spain win Euro 2024.

History looks very likely to repeat itself too. Rodri is the man widely believed to be the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or once more this year, for the exact same reason, after his Golden Ball-winning performances saw him hoist the World Cup for his nation.

Vinicius Jr Already Proven Against Premier League Opposition

A common concern with star names arriving from abroad is how they’ll adapt to the physicality and pace of English football. For Vinicius, the evidence suggests that wouldn’t be a problem at all.

Across 26 appearances against English clubs, the winger has racked up 10 goals and 12 assists, working out to a goal contribution in almost every game.

Given those numbers have come against some of England’s toughest teams, there’s little reason to think he’d struggle for immediate form in the same way many players from overseas do in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur’s top transfer target after they hopefully complete a deal to sign Savinho from Manchester City has been named.

After completely transforming Roberto De Zerbi’s defensive and midfield options before pre-season even got underway, Tottenham chiefs now have a new transfer priority as they look to avoid a repeat of what has happened in the Premier League in the past two seasons.

Spurs have the likes of Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus to select from in attack, but De Zerbi has already made it clear in recent days that he wants a couple of ‘important’ attackers to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the September 1 deadline.

It’s been clear for more than a year now that the north London outfit have wanted to land a top-class left-winger, and Savinho has been their top target in the position for more than 12 months.

Tottenham’s stance on the Brazil international hasn’t changed, and they have decided that he is still their top target this summer, having failed to agree a deal with City to bring him to the capital a year ago.

But he isn’t their only attacking target.

O’Keefe: Tottenham’s Top Target After Savinho is Junior Kroupi

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Spurs are continuing talks over a deal to bring Savinho to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with one report suggesting that they have already made a bid of £70m for his services.

The suggestion is that City are looking to land a left-winger themselves before they sanction the exit of the 22-year-old, who Pep Guardiola was always so complimentary about before his departure this summer.

Reliable Tottenham source Paul O’Keefe was asked on X on Sunday who Spurs’ absolute number one transfer target is, apart from Savinho, and he replied saying: ‘It’s Junior’.

De Zerbi has shown a preference to bring in players with Premier League experience this summer, and Savinho and Junior Kroupi would be two more examples of that.

Tottenham Face Stiff Competition for Junior Kroupi

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Not only are Bournemouth in no mood to sell Junior Kroupi as they gear up for their first-ever European campaign, but Tottenham will also face stiff competition for the Frenchman’s signature from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

It remains to be seen how much the Cherries would demand to sell the 20-year-old sensation, with some suggestions that he could have a release clause worth £100m next summer.

That isn’t the only issue facing Spurs though, with Fabrizio Romano revealing on Monday that Barcelona have now opened talks with Junior Kroupi’s representatives and Bournemouth over a potential move.

Romano also says that there is interest from Manchester City too, as interest builds in a young player who was so impressive in his debut Premier League campaign, scoring 13 goals in 33 appearances for the south coast side.

Tottenham have shown, after breaking their transfer record twice this summer, they aren’t afraid to be ambitious and back De Zerbi with the players he wants, and they will need to do it again to have any chance of landing Junior Kroupi.

Manchester United are monitoring Lewis Hall’s situation at Newcastle United, and there is a belief that the player would be open to a switch to Old Trafford, according to reputable journalist Andy Mitten.

Hall has impressed on Tyneside since his move from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, enjoying an outstanding 2025/26 season which saw him make 46 appearances across all competitions. The left-back’s excellent displays have prompted clubs to take a look at him, with potential suitors eager to take advantage of the mass exodus that is unfolding at St. James’ Park this summer.

United have long been touted as the club most avidly pursuing Hall, and this has now been verified by credible reporter Mitten.

The Athletic journalist indicates that it’s unlikely United would be weighing up a move for a player they don’t believe would be open to joining them.

Andy Mitten: Man Utd Confident Lewis Hall Wants to Join

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To the surprise of many, Luke Shaw stayed fit for the entirety of last season, featuring in all 38 Premier League games for the Red Devils.

However, even if this unlikely feat occurs again, Michael Carrick will need another dependable left-back option in his squad, as United prepare to play in European competition once again.

Hall has been identified as the primary target for this position, and Mitten has confirmed that the north-west outfit’s interest in the £70m-rated ex-Chelsea man is real.

Speaking on the United We Stand podcast, the reporter claimed that acquiring a left-back is a priority for United’s hierarchy this summer.

“United want a left-back,” he said.

“Cover for Luke Shaw, someone to push Luke Shaw, given that Luke Shaw may not be able to play as many games as United hope to play this season.

“United like Lewis Hall, the young left-back at Newcastle United. Manchester United would not be targeting players if they did not think they would want to come to Old Trafford.”

Man Utd Must Have Alternatives to Hall Lined Up

Newcastle sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £100 million earlier this summer, while they also lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and look increasingly likely to lose Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal.

Eddie Howe’s squad is falling apart one by one, and thus, the Magpies may not be willing to sanction Hall’s departure on top of all of these other high-profile exits.

The Tynesiders could demand an astronomical fee for the England international, making a deal with United for the player untenable. For this reason, United must have genuine alternative targets lined up, and based on the volume of links to Hall, it doesn’t seem as though anything else is particularly developed on this front.

Djed Spence has been mooted as a target, although concrete reporting on this deal is yet to surface.