Saudi Arabia has changed the dynamics of football transfers, offering huge sums of money, and in the past two years, they’ve made a significant impact by attracting several top players to their league. Now, they have set their sights on Vinícius Júnior. The FIFA Best Player award winner is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars in football today.
Vinícius, currently enjoying his best years with Real Madrid, has many opportunities ahead of him, both individually and as part of his team. But, while his footballing achievements at Real are impressive, Saudi Arabia offers him an opportunity for substantial financial gain. This situation has led to daily rumors about his potential transfer.
Despite having over two years remaining on his contract with Real Madrid (which runs until June 2027), speculation about his future has already intensified. The latest news suggests that Vinícius’ representatives have reportedly informed Real Madrid of his salary expectations. But this is not the only recent development.
Other reports claim that Vinícius has discussed an offer from Saudi Arabia with the royal family, and this conversation has apparently upset Real Madrid’s management. According to Portuguese newspaper ‘A Bola’, Vinícius and his representatives held an online meeting with Saudi officials to discuss the contract proposal. This video call has not been well received by the club at Santiago Bernabéu.
Last month, ESPN reported that Saudi Arabia’s club offered around 100 million euros over five years, which translates to approximately 12,664 crore Taka, to sign Vinícius. This offer prompted Real Madrid to act quickly, as typically contract negotiations begin two years before a deal expires, but now they are discussing a renewal earlier than expected. However, reports suggest that Vinícius’ representatives rejected Real’s initial proposal.
The news of Vinícius and his close associates meeting with Saudi officials has added fuel to the fire. In a 15-minute meeting, the two sides discussed the future of their relationship, commercial agreements, and various benefits. Saudi Arabia even offered Vinícius a role as an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia.
Vinícius’ growing interest in Saudi Arabia has also raised concerns among former Real Madrid players. Former goalkeeper Paco Buyo expressed his thoughts, saying, “After all the effort Vinícius has put in, he’s now talking about leaving in four years? It might be a strategy to get a better deal, but it’s wrong because you can’t challenge Florentino Pérez.”
Real Madrid’s former midfielder Miguel Ángel Portugal also warned Vinícius, saying, “When you leave Madrid, you won’t be the same player anymore.”
Alongside the reports of his meetings with Saudi Arabia, there’s also news that Vinícius’ representatives have informed Real of his new financial demands for staying beyond 2027. ESPN claims that talks will begin soon with Real Madrid executives, and sources say that Vinícius is close to signing a contract extension with the club.
After Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League, Vinícius stated, “It’s always exciting to start talks for a contract renewal with Real Madrid. I have a contract until 2027, but I’ve always said I want to play here for a long time and make new history.”
With various conflicting reports, the rumors surrounding Vinícius’ future transfer are gaining momentum. The outcome of these discussions will be one to watch in the coming days.
