The future of Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid remains uncertain, as the Brazilian winger has yet to sign the contract renewal that has been discussed for months.
His inconsistent performances this season — aside from a standout display against Barcelona — have raised concerns within the club, prompting Real Madrid to explore alternative options ahead of the next transfer window. Among the names being considered, according to Defensa Central, is Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli.
Real Madrid’s sporting crisis shows no signs of slowing down. Following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso after the Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as head coach has also failed to inspire confidence. On Wednesday, Los Blancos were eliminated from the Copa del Rey after a 3–2 loss to Albacete at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium, adding to a growing list of domestic disappointments.
Vinicius Jr’s performance once again raised doubts. While several teammates struggled, the Brazilian — regarded as the team’s star player — failed to step up when the team needed him most. He created very few chances and was unable to influence the match.
Neither his trademark dribbling nor his ability to change the tempo of the game was evident, increasing the club’s concern and reinforcing the idea of evaluating alternative solutions.
A Potential Move for Martinelli
According to reports, Real Madrid have identified Gabriel Martinelli as a possible replacement. At Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, Martinelli is not an undisputed starter, as he competes for a place with Leandro Trossard.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian winger would reportedly be open to a move to Real Madrid should Vinicius leave the club. However, Martinelli is not considered a like-for-like replacement in terms of status or impact.
At his peak, Vinicius Jr was a serious Ballon d’Or contender and played a decisive role in Real Madrid’s two Champions League triumphs. Martinelli, now 24, enjoyed a solid season with Arsenal, featuring in 51 matches last year and logging over 3,500 minutes, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists. Despite this, he has yet to establish himself as an undisputed starter or win major titles.
Should Martinelli arrive, Real Madrid would likely need to sign another wide attacker to fully reinforce the squad.
The Brazilian winger’s future — and the potential arrival of Martinelli — will shape Real Madrid’s strategic decisions in what promises to be a turbulent and unpredictable transfer window
