Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho explains Vinicius Junior contract situation after transfer attempt from Arsenal

By Matt Law | 21 Aug 2026 13:41, Last updated: 21 Aug 2026 13:43

Real Madrid caput manager Jose Mourinho has said that Vinicius Junior ever wanted to enactment astatine Bernabeu this summertime amid involvement from Arsenal.

The Brazil planetary was heavy linked with a determination to Arsenal amid the uncertainty surrounding his declaration concern astatine Bernabeu.

However, it was announced earlier this period that the 26-year-old had signed a caller semipermanent woody with Real Madrid, ending the speculation surrounding his future.

Mourinho has insisted that Vinicius ever wanted to stay with the superior giants.

“The quality wasn’t a surprise. When I arrived and was told astir his contractual situation, my archetypal question was, ‘Does helium privation to enactment oregon not?’ And helium wanted to stay. It was a substance of numbers and his agents, but helium wants to stay," Mourinho told reporters.

Mourinho: 'Vinicius ever wanted Real Madrid stay'

"At that moment, I was wholly calm. I don’t privation to measure whether he’s the champion successful the world, 1 of the apical three, oregon 1 of the apical ten. It’s a crippled I don’t similar much, but he’s surely 1 of the champion players successful the world. And the champion person to beryllium here.

“I don’t cognize wherefore he’s had immoderate issues successful the past with different coaches. He wants to win. He knows perfectly what I privation from him from a tactical constituent of view.

"I deliberation he’s happy, assured successful however we’re preparing for matches, and helium wants to triumph from time one, adjacent earlier signing his caller contract. Every small speech we had ever ended with ‘let’s improve, let’s triumph again, and let’s beryllium blessed again.’”

Vinicius is successful the squad for Real Madrid's opening lucifer of the caller league play against Espanyol connected Saturday night.

Vinicius is successful the squad for Real Madrid's clash with Espanyol

Mourinho has insisted that helium is alert of the size of the task facing his broadside this weekend.

“They are a bully team. Teams that person had the aforesaid manager for a agelong clip are well-prepared, with routines and dynamics," said the Portuguese.

"They play good and with ambition. I truly liked their archetypal game, and determination they are successful the standings with 3 points, 3 goals scored, and nary conceded.

"Their fans are happy, and starting with a location triumph is ever a motivation. We are ace prepared for what we are going to face. We person studied them arsenic thoroughly arsenic possible, watched their pre-season games, and, of course, the 1 they played against Levante.”

Real Madrid volition play their gameweek 1 fixture against Real Sociedad connected August 26.