Arsenal chief Edu told no after attempt to sign Brazilian

Arsenal tried to sign Brazilian youngster Vinicius Junior over the summer, according to a report.

Brazilian outlet UOL report that Arsenal’s new technical director Edu made an attempt to sign his countryman, but Real Madrid refused.

Edu enquired about the midfielder’s availability, but was told the 19-year-old forward was not for sale.

Whether or not Real pointed Edu towards Dani Ceballos is unclear, but the Spaniard arrived along with David Luiz, Kieran Tierney and club-record signing Nicolas Pepe to bolster the Gunners’ ranks.

Vinicius Junior was reported to have been offered as a potential makeweight in a deal for Neymar. Marca claiming that PSG wanted cash plus Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior for the former Barcelona star.

Madrid though were not willing to let Vinicius go just one year after he joined from Flamengo.

The player was also linked with Manchester United to be used, again, as a makeweight in the proposed sale of Paul Pogba.

Vinicius Junior has made one start and two sub appearances for Real this season, and recently spoke of the difficulty of breaking into Zinedine Zidane’s side.

Zidane said: “The beginning of the season is also a bit difficult. New players always are tested and Real Madrid now have plenty of players.

“We are playing more and Zidane always talks to all the players, he gives opportunities to all of us at the beginning, so that we can have a good season.”