Arsenal news: Gunners 'beat rivals to signing' as Vinicius Jr transfer deadline set

Arsenal will embark on the forthcoming Premier League campaign as reigning champions. However, Mikel Arteta will be keen to bolster his squad as he seeks to defend their top-tier title. With the Premier League weight lifted from their shoulders , Arsenal's attention will now turn towards assembling a team capable of replicating this success. They've already made Piero Hincapie's switch from Bayer Leverkusen permanent and signed Illan Meslier. However, they have also reportedly emerged victorious in the pursuit of a highly sought-after centre-back as Daily Star Sport delves into the latest transfer updates from the Emirates. JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page As per the Daily Mail, Arsenal are poised to secure the signature of Elijah Upson from local rivals Tottenham. The 18-year-old is the son of ex-Premier League and England stalwart Matthew Upson, reports the Mirror . The report indicates that Upson received offers from Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco. Yet it seems the Gunners have managed to clinch his services. Upson featured in 31 matches for Tottenham in the Under-18 Premier League and is a versatile, proactive central defender. He can also function as a wing-back or right-back. Meanwhile, there has been a significant development regarding the future of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. The winger has been speculatively connected with Arsenal, but it seems he'll be remaining in the Spanish capital. Vinicius, whose Brazil team were eliminated from the World Cup by Norway in the last 16, will hold talks with Real Madrid bosses at the end of July with a deadline established, according to Spanish publication AS, to finalise a fresh contract. This report suggests that immediately following Brazil's elimination, the club held discussions with Vinicius and arranged a meeting. It is anticipated that an extension will be reached with his existing agreement due to run out in June 2027. It is understood that his circumstances are no longer a worry for the Real Madrid leadership. At one point, it was suggested Vinicius was unsettled at the Bernabeu and Arsenal, who are pursuing a winger this summer, were linked with a sensational transfer.