Real Madrid might soon wave goodbye to their Champions League hero, Vinicius Jr., who’s caught the eye of Saudi Arabia’s football power brokers. The Saudis, flush with cash from their Public Investment Fund, which holds stakes in major clubs like Al Ahli and Al Nassr, are chatting up Vinicius.
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Talks are ongoing, though no official bid has hit the table yet. The Saudis have floated a jaw-dropping potential salary of up to 350 million euros per year. It’s clear they’re serious, but Vinicius and his team are keeping their cards close, waiting to see if Real will budge on the whopping 1 billion euro release clause in his contract that runs till 2027.
⚪️ Saudi Arabia and Vinicius Jr representatives held talks
⚪️ No firm, final answer and process still ongoing
⚪️ Could earn more than €1bn
⚪️ Madrid want to keep him@MarioCortegana explains the Vinicius Jr situation— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 13, 2024
Billion-euro demand
Real Madrid isn’t eager to let their top scorer go. They’re sticking to that billion-euro demand, putting a hefty price tag on their young star.
Vinicius has transformed into Real Madrid’s go-to guy since he stepped onto the pitch. Last season, he didn’t just play; he dominated, netting 24 goals, his best tally yet.
His journey from a budding talent to a key player is marked by a steady climb in his goal stats, reaching an impressive 0.62 goals per game last season.
Saudi Arabia’s interest in Vinicius follows their recent pattern of snapping up big names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. However, convincing Vinicius might take more than just deep pockets. They’ll need to persuade him that playing in Saudi won’t stall his career, especially when he’s already shining on one of the biggest stages in Europe.
The question now isn’t just about money—it’s about whether Vinicius sees his future in the glitz of the Gulf or the glory of European football.
