Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has reportedly halted negotiations over a new contract with the club.
The 25-year-old is seen as a crucial member of Xabi Alonso’s squad, but his future remains in doubt as he is yet to extend his new deal. He is currently under contract in Madrid until 2027, but Real Madrid are keen to extend the deal through to 2030, although nothing has been finalized yet.
Vinicius, along with the rest of Alonso’s senior squad, is currently on a break after their run to the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Some behind-the-scenes figures at Real Madrid are reportedly dissatisfied with his
performances in the USA, potentially casting doubt over his future at the club.
Xabi Alonso is reportedly ready to make tough calls regardless and it would be interesting to see how any of his decisions affect the demand for Real Madrid tickets ahead of the new campaign.
It has been reported several times that an agreement has been reached between the parties, but it is no longer the case, as Vinicius is keen to get more pay from his new deal.
“I hope I can stay here for many years. I’ve always said it’s the club of my life. I’m very happy with the coach and the staff, I hope I can stay,” Vinicius said during the Club World Cup as per Mundo Deportivo.
“I have a two-year contract until 2027. I want to stay for my entire career and make history in this team.”
Real Madrid are hopeful that the Brazilian will sign an extension to his current contract, and if his words are anything to go by, they will eventually reach a resolution.
Vinicius wants to match Mbappe’s Real Madrid salary
According to the latest update from Cadena COPE, Vinicius is demanding over €25 million per year in wages to match Kylian Mbappe’s salary.
That’s why contract negotiations have hit a standstill, prompting Real Madrid to consider selling Vinicius Jr. before his deal runs out in 2027. Despite his €1 billion release clause, the club is now open to entertaining offers for the Brazilian forward. Some clubs, especially Al Hilal, are monitoring the situation of the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, Transfer expert Ben Jacobs believes Vinicius will consider a move away from Real Madrid if talks break down.
“Saudi alert to Vini Jr’s situation and prepared to make a world-record bid,” he wrote. “Vini Jr has said he wants to stay at Real. New deal not signed, but could be soon. Al-Ahli the club in mind. Talks with Saudi for a year and the door is not shut to one day joining.”
Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada believes that the Saudi Pro League is capable of attracting any player, including Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior.
“Vinícius in Saudi football anytime soon? I have no idea… What I can tell you is that, in some things I know well, there’s a lot of lies about everything written about this football,” Galzada told El Larguero in an interview.
“In the case of Vinícius, what I can tell you is that there has been absolutely nothing with us directly,” he confirmed.
Nevertheless, Calzada, a former executive with the City Football Group, believes Vinícius could eventually make a move to the Saudi Pro League.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if any player came to Saudi Arabia, including Vinícius. The country has the intention; it’s a long-term plan, and the clubs have the ambition. It’s not costing us more with the young player, who is still thinking about playing in the [UEFA] Champions League. You can aspire to anything from this league.“
Transfer expert provides update on Rodrygo’s situation
Vinicius Junior is not the only player in the Real Madrid squad with his future unresolved. Rodrygo has been unsettled for many months now, and it appears he might leave the club even before Vinicius.
“I’m told that the situation has not changed as of today,” Fabrizio Romano said back in June.“So first point, Arsenal love Rodrygo. When I say Arsenal, it’s about the management, it’s about the coach, Mikel Arteta.
“They consider Rodrygo as a fantastic player, a dream target as a winger, also because they believe that Nico Williams is impossible to reach this summer.
“So for Rodrygo, he remains a strong name for sure in the list at Arsenal. But at the moment, as I always told you, the only way to make the Rodrygo deal happen and to start thinking about the financials, the salary, the transfer fee and all the rest, is Rodrygo himself.
“No [I haven’t met with him],” Alonso said at his Real Madrid unveiling press conference. “I’m going to have a conversation with all the players because they deserve it and we need it because we have to get to know each other. That he is a spectacular player is not for me to discover. We will need him.”
However, things have not changed since those statements from the club legend, and it is safe to see the reason why clubs are keen to prize the player away from the club.
“The only way is if Rodrygo goes to Xabi Alonso and tells him at some point now – in one week, in two weeks – ‘I want to leave the club’. So is Rodrygo deciding? If he decides to go to Arsenal, the doors of this deal to negotiate could be open, but at this moment, Rodrygo still didn’t told Xabi Alonso,” Fabrizio continued.
“So about leaving the club, about leaving Real Madrid, and Real Madrid will not inform Arsenal on any fixed price until they don’t have any communication from Rodrygo.”
However, Fabrizio has given a fresh update on the matter, stating the player will discuss with the club once again.
“I’m told, also in this case, it’s still early stages. Rodrygo has to speak to Real Madrid again in the next few days, decide whether he wants to go or stay, and get a final price, likely to be over €100m (£86m) at the start of talks. It’s not an advanced deal now.”
According to Marca, Alonso has now told Rodrygo that ‘it will be difficult for him to have minutes’ next season.
