Real Madrid already have a replacement lined up if Vinícius Jr. decides to leave after the World Cup

The future of Vinícius Jr. at Real Madrid has transformed from a certainty into a major enigma. As of early 2026, the Brazilian superstar has yet to sign the contract renewal offered by the club, sparking a wave of speculation across Europe. Amidst this stalemate, Chelsea has reportedly made a staggering offer of approximately €160 million ($174M) to lure the winger to Stamford Bridge.

This situation has not sat well with the Madrid hierarchy. Florentino Pérez has already placed a new contract on the table, but the 25-year-old winger has yet to give a concrete response. This hesitation, coupled with a significant dip in form over the last few months—aside from a solitary goal in the Super Cup final against Barcelona—has sounded the alarm at Valdebebas. Consequently, the club has begun analyzing alternatives, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli emerging as a shocking potential successor.

Real Madrid’s current campaign is reading like a tragedy. Following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso after the Super Cup defeat, the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as interim coach has done little to steady the ship. The team suffered a historic humiliation on Wednesday, being eliminated from the Copa del Rey after a 3-2 loss to second-division side Albacete.

In that match at the Carlos Belmonte, Vinícius Jr.’s performance was particularly scrutinized. On a night when the club's heavyweights were expected to lead, Vini was invisible. He was unable to generate danger, failed to create clear-cut chances, and, most surprisingly, lacked his signature "one-on-one" aggression. Against a lower-league opponent, the Brazilian looked erratic and disconnected—a performance that many believe is linked to the distractions regarding his future and the massive siren song from London.

With the renewal process stalled, Real Madrid is beginning to cover its bases. According to reports from Defensa Central, the club has recently received an offering for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. The 24-year-old Brazilian is not an undisputed starter under Mikel Arteta, often rotating minutes with Leandro Trossard. Reports suggest Martinelli would view a call from the Santiago Bernabéu as a "dream opportunity" to reclaim a leading role on the world stage.

However, the scouts at Valdebebas are aware that Martinelli and Vinícius represent different profiles:

Martinelli’s numbers are respectable but highlight the gap he would need to close. Last season, the Arsenal man played 51 matches, surpassing 3,500 minutes, scoring 10 goals, and providing 5 assists. While these are notable figures for the Premier League, they pale in comparison to the "explosive" seasons Vinícius has delivered in the past, where he frequently doubled those goal contributions in high-stakes matches.

For now, Real Madrid remains prudent. Renewing Vinícius Jr. is still the absolute priority for Florentino Pérez. However, the club’s history has shown that no player is bigger than the institution. If the Chelsea offer becomes too tempting for the player or if his performance continues to decline, the club will not be caught off guard.

The "Martinelli option" is currently being treated as a strategic backup. While the fans hope for a "happy ending" where Vini regains his spark and signs the dotted line, the reality of modern football—and the €160M on the table—suggests that the summer of 2026 could see a massive changing of the guard on the left wing of the Bernabéu.