Arsenal aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. While the Gunners continue chasing Vinicius Junior, they’ve quietly lined up four backup options in case the Real Madrid deal falls through.
And honestly? That might be the smartest move Mikel Arteta makes all summer.
According to CaughtOffside, sources close to the agents industry have confirmed Arsenal’s alternative shortlist: Antonio Nusa, Christian Pulisic, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Brahim Diaz. Each brings something different. Each carries risk. But the message from the Emirates is clear — they won’t be left empty-handed.
The Premier League champions need a left-sided attacker. That’s no secret. Leandro Trossard‘s departure to Besiktas for roughly £17m left a gap Arteta has to fill before the window closes.
Why Vinicius Jr Remains the Dream but Also a Nightmare to Negotiate
Sky Sports reported in late July that Arsenal are actively exploring a deal for Vinicius Junior. There’s genuine interest, but no club-to-club contact has taken place yet. The Gunners have apparently reached out to the player’s camp, though, testing the waters while the Brazilian’s contract situation remains unresolved.
Here’s the problem. Real Madrid have slapped a €160m asking price on Vinicius, according to Sports Illustrated. That’s a club-record demand designed to scare off suitors — or at least force Arsenal into paying a premium that would reshape their entire budget.
Vinicius wants to stay at the Bernabeu. Real don’t want to lose him for free next summer. So this entire saga could end up being a negotiation tool that benefits Madrid more than anyone else.
David Ornstein reported via NBC Sports that Arsenal have agreed at all levels internally to pursue the transfer, but the move remains at an early stage. It’s a long way from “we’re interested” to “here’s the contract.”
Can Arsenal really justify spending £137m on a single player when cheaper, younger alternatives exist? That’s the question hanging over this entire pursuit.
Nusa Leads Arsenal’s Plan B and He Might Be the Smarter Buy
Antonio Nusa sits at the top of Arsenal’s backup list, and it’s easy to see why.
The 21-year-old Norwegian caught everyone’s attention at the 2026 World Cup. He helped Norway reach the quarter-finals and scored a memorable goal against Ivory Coast. His pace, close control, and willingness to run at defenders are exactly what Arsenal lack on the left.
RB Leipzig value Nusa at around £51m, according to The Sun. Arsenal reportedly prepared an initial bid of approximately £34m earlier in July, but that figure fell well short. Sources suggest a fee around £43m could get a deal done.
BBC and talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney made his position crystal clear when discussing Nusa recently. He pointed to the “English tax” inflating prices for domestic targets and argued clubs should look abroad instead.
Nusa’s contract runs until 2029, so Leipzig aren’t under pressure to sell. But that also means Arsenal know exactly where they stand. No contract drama, no auction between rival clubs — just a straightforward negotiation over price.
He’s young enough to develop, experienced enough to contribute now, and he already has a connection with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard from the Norwegian national team. That relationship could speed up his settling-in period significantly.
The other options on the list are more complicated. Pulisic knows the Premier League from his Chelsea days, but AC Milan have made it clear he’s not for sale this summer. Multiple outlets confirmed the Rossoneri rejected approaches from Galatasaray and New York City FC. Getting him out of Milan would require a change of heart that doesn’t seem likely right now.
Mbaye is just 18 and would be a long-term project. Asking a teenager to make an immediate impact in a title-defending squad carries serious risk. Brahim Diaz offers creativity and tactical flexibility, but he tends to drift inside rather than stretching defences from the touchline.
Arsenal Can’t Afford to Wait — the Clock Is Ticking
Here’s what it comes down to. Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time since 2004 last season. They reached the Champions League final. Standing still isn’t an option when Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea are all spending aggressively.
The left wing needs addressing before pre-season ends. Every week spent waiting on Vinicius is a week not spent completing an alternative deal.
Nusa looks like the option that balances quality, age profile, and cost most effectively. He won’t generate the same global headlines as Vinicius, but he’d fit Arteta’s system, leave financial room for other signings, and arrive with a genuine hunger to prove himself.
Arsenal’s recruitment team deserves credit for preparing these alternatives early rather than scrambling in the final days of the window. Whether it’s Vinicius or one of the four backups, the Gunners clearly aren’t willing to enter the new season with unfinished business on the left flank.
The smart money? Keep pushing for Vinicius, but don’t let Nusa slip away in the meantime.
