Arsenal are exploring a move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr and Paris Saint-Germain's winger Bradley Barcola despite competition from Liverpool

Arsenal fans could hardly believe their eyes when it emerged Mikel Arteta is considering an audacious bid for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.

The Gunners' pursuit of the Brazil star, who has 12 months left on his deal with the Spanish titans, is understood to be serious. The North London giants are looking to capitalise on their status as newly-crowned Premier League champions and lure the 26-year-old to England.

Arsenal have already strengthened their forward line with the £34million acquisition of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. The Greek winger provided an assist in a behind-closed-doors friendly against MK Dons at the club's Sobha Realty Training Centre on Saturday. Reiss Nelson opened the scoring, set up by Tzolis, before Ethan Nwaneri and Ceadach O'Neill also scored in a 3-0 victory. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.

Vinicius Jr position

It's claimed Vinicius remains inclined towards remaining at Real Madrid, regardless of his contractual standoff with the club, reports the Mirror.

Vinicius has merely 12 months left on his existing agreement and Los Blancos are frantic to prevent losing him without compensation next summer. According to Spanish reports, he is demanding a rise that would elevate his salary to approximately £17m net annually.

According to AS, discussions between player and club will restart in the coming days once he returns from his post-World Cup holiday.

Vinicius and his representatives are seeking answers on two crucial matters: his role in returning manager Jose Mourinho's strategy and whether he can obtain wages that match his worldwide standing in football.

Mourinho, who has penned a three-year contract at the Bernabeu, faced criticism for remarks he made after Vinicius alleged Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him during a Champions League clash in February.

However, Mourinho, who was Benfica's boss at the time, allegedly desires Vinicius and the club's other leading talents to remain. AS reports the aim of both parties is to reach a fresh agreement, despite the Gunners' pursuit.

Barcola seeks exit

Bradley Barcola has informed PSG he will not be penning a new contract amid Arsenal and Liverpool's pursuit of the France World Cup star, who seemingly wants a transfer.

Barcola, 23, has been crucial to PSG's achievements including back-to-back Champions League triumphs, but he may slip further down the hierarchy as manager Luis Enrique seeks to reshape his attacking options.

Regardless of whether PSG triumph in the battle with Real Madrid to secure another winger, RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, it seems Barcola desires a departure, having informed the club he has zero plans to prolong his contract.

His current deal with the French giants has two years remaining. Yet it's also said by Le Parisien that Barcola "will not force a move" from his home of the past three years.

Barcola has bagged 39 goals and 25 assists in 152 games in all competitions for PSG. They are thought to have placed a whopping £140m price tag on the young ace.