Mourinho Asked Vinicius for One Thing: What About the Transfer?

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has revealed how his first conversation with new head coach Jose Mourinho went. According to the Brazilian, the Portuguese coach does not intend to change his style of play—instead, he asked the winger to keep playing with the same freedom and enjoyment as before.

The statement comes as transfer rumors surrounding Vinicius’s future intensify. Arsenal’s interest is reportedly genuine, but Real Madrid have not confirmed that they have decided to sell the player.

Mourinho’s first demand for Vinicius

Vinicius joined the squad after the World Cup and gave a positive assessment of the opening days of preseason. He said he had met the new players and coaching staff and begun intensive training.

“Mourinho wants me to remain the way I am—to be happy and play my own football.”

According to the Brazilian forward, the new coach wants to preserve his strengths rather than impose strict tactical restrictions on him. Reuters also noted that Mourinho is supporting Vinicius’s free, expressive and attacking style of football.

Real Madrid are focusing on physical preparation

Vinicius stressed that, before the start of the season, the team’s main focus was improving its physical condition.

The players are completing several training sessions in a short period and working on strength and endurance in the gym. In Vinicius’s view, high-quality preseason preparation is important for reducing injuries throughout the year and allowing the coach to use the entire squad.

Real Madrid’s official information also stated that Mourinho’s team are combining gym work and physical conditioning with pressing, possession drills and small-sided games.

What plan has Mourinho brought back to Real Madrid?

Real Madrid are preparing for the 2026/27 season under Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach began working with his new staff in July and introduced high-intensity training from the very first days.

Mourinho’s approach to Vinicius could be an important signal. The Brazilian is one of the team’s most dangerous attackers, with his pace, one-on-one ability and unpredictable decisions playing a distinctive role in Real Madrid’s attack.

According to Reuters, Vinicius has scored 128 goals and provided 100 assists for the Madrid club in all competitions.

Do Arsenal really want Vinicius?

British sources have reported that Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Vinicius. The London club is monitoring the situation involving the player’s representatives, but there had been no direct negotiations between the clubs when the initial reports emerged.

Vinicius’s current contract expires in the summer of 2027. The lack of progress in negotiations over a new deal has fueled transfer rumors. Nevertheless, Sky Sports sources wrote that Real Madrid do not intend to sell the player this summer and remain confident of extending his contract.

How credible is the €150 million report?

Some media outlets have claimed that Real Madrid could consider offers above €150 million for Vinicius. Citing the Spanish press, several publications have also written that a potential transfer package would have to reach €160 million. However, this figure has not been officially confirmed by the Madrid club.

On the contrary, reliable British sources emphasize that Real Madrid’s current priority is not selling Vinicius but reaching a new agreement with him. Therefore, there is no basis for presenting the €150–160 million figure as an official price set by the club.

Was Mourinho’s comment a response to the transfer rumors?

Vinicius’s statement that Mourinho “asked me to remain myself” suggests that their relationship has begun positively. If Mourinho had excluded the player from his plans, it would make little sense for him to express such confidence in Vinicius’s freedom on the pitch.

However, in football, a coach’s confidence does not completely eliminate the risk of a transfer. The key question is whether Real Madrid and Vinicius can agree on the financial and sporting terms of a new contract.

For now, the Brazilian is talking not about a transfer but about preparing for the new season. Mourinho’s first demand is simple: Vinicius must not change and should continue playing the football that made him a star. Leave your opinion in the comments and share the article with sports fans on Telegram or other social networks!