NOT GUNNER HAPPEN! Vinicius Jr to Arsenal transfer saga OVER as Real Madrid star strikes agreement to stay with Spanish giants

Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid have reached an agreement in principle over a new contract for the attacker, bringing an end to Arsenal's pursuit of the Brazil international.

Speculation over Vinicius' future has been rife in recent months with the player's current contract expiring next summer and numerous reports indicating that he and the club were apart by some distance in negotiations, with Real said to be refusing to improve their most recent offer.

Arsenal's interest in the multi-time Champions League winner emerged amid that uncertainty, with the Premier League champions ready to go all out to clinch a statement signing.

But despite claims that the player was open to the idea of joining Arsenal, The Athletic have now reported that Vinicius and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over a new contract following a meeting on Wednesday.

Confirmation of the attacker's new deal is expected before the end of the week.

Vinicius' decision to renew his contract with Los Blancos will bitterly disappoint Arsenal and their head coach, Mikel Arteta, who had seen the 26-year-old as the calibre of signing required to take the club to the next level.

Arsenal's search for an elite left forward will now resume again with two key targets, Morgan Rogers and now Vinicius, unattainable in this window.

Arteta has been open about wanting to take Arsenal to another level and "create a dynasty" after ending a 22 year wait for a domestic title. The Gunners also reached the Champions League final last season, losing on penalties.

“I’m even more excited [about this season], and we’re going to go and attack every possible title because that’s the ambition that we have,” Arteta said following Arsenal's 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in a pre-season friendly.

“We know that we have the ability. We will go from a strength to a strength as well, whether it’s with the players that we have to take them to a different level, and with the market that is still open to recruit as well, so we are very optimistic about it.

“All the work that we’ve done – that I’ve done through the summer – is to understand what we need to do to win again and to create a dynasty in this football club. That’s the aim.”