Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho explains Vinicius Junior contract situation after transfer attempt from Arsenal

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has said that Vinicius Junior always wanted to stay at Bernabeu this summer amid interest from Arsenal.

The Brazil international was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal amid the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation at Bernabeu.

However, it was announced earlier this month that the 26-year-old had signed a new long-term deal with Real Madrid, ending the speculation surrounding his future.

Mourinho has insisted that Vinicius always wanted to remain with the capital giants.

“The news wasn’t a surprise. When I arrived and was told about his contractual situation, my first question was, ‘Does he want to stay or not?’ And he wanted to stay. It was a matter of numbers and his agents, but he wants to stay," Mourinho told reporters.

Mourinho: 'Vinicius always wanted Real Madrid stay'

"At that moment, I was completely calm. I don’t want to assess whether he’s the best in the world, one of the top three, or one of the top ten. It’s a game I don’t like much, but he’s surely one of the best players in the world. And the best have to be here.

“I don’t know why he’s had some issues in the past with other coaches. He wants to win. He knows perfectly what I want from him from a tactical point of view.

"I think he’s happy, confident in how we’re preparing for matches, and he wants to win from day one, even before signing his new contract. Every little conversation we had always ended with ‘let’s improve, let’s win again, and let’s be happy again.’”

Vinicius is in the squad for Real Madrid's opening match of the new league season against Espanyol on Saturday night.

Vinicius is in the squad for Real Madrid's clash with Espanyol

Mourinho has insisted that he is aware of the size of the task facing his side this weekend.

“They are a good team. Teams that have had the same coach for a long time are well-prepared, with routines and dynamics," said the Portuguese.

"They play well and with ambition. I really liked their first game, and there they are in the standings with three points, three goals scored, and none conceded.

"Their fans are happy, and starting with a home win is always a motivation. We are super prepared for what we are going to face. We have studied them as thoroughly as possible, watched their pre-season games, and, of course, the one they played against Levante.”

Real Madrid will play their gameweek one fixture against Real Sociedad on August 26.