Vinicius Junior turned down an opportunity to join Arsenal this summer in favor of a new contract at Real Madrid, but he may be reconsidering his decision. The Brazilian forward has scored only one goal in ten appearances this season, and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has acknowledged that Vinicius should have considered leaving the club before the transfer deadline.
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Ahead of a recent match against Sevilla, Mourinho stated, "If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn't be here. I would have forced a move to a country where I'd be respected. But out of loyalty to Real Madrid and love for the club, he stayed. He believes things can improve and he still has that smile. Nothing and no one can take it away from him."
Mourinho further expressed his support for Vinicius, who declared Madrid his home upon renewing his contract. He highlighted the player's positive demeanor and camaraderie in the locker room, despite initial skepticism regarding Vinicius’s ability to remain at the club amid significant transfer interest.
However, there are questions about their relationship after Vinicius was substituted after 59 minutes in a recent Champions League match against AS Roma. The performance of new signing Yan Diomande adds another layer to Vinicius's situation. Real Madrid paid €125 million for Diomande from RB Leipzig, with the intention of him being the club's new starting right winger alongside Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe.
After a rocky start, Diomande showcased his potential by scoring and assisting in a 4-1 victory over Sevilla, filling in on the left side due to Vinicius's suspension. While it is premature to suggest that Vinicius will be cast aside after one good performance from Diomande, Mourinho’s comments and Vinicius's current form point to potential changes ahead, making a future transfer to Arsenal a possibility.