- 16 hours ago
MONSTER Vini Junior transfer a ‘matter of time’
Robin Bairner
- 20 Jan 2025 02:10 CST
- 2 min read
Vinicius Junior will leave Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League, with a deal to take the Brazil international to the super-rich division considered to be just a “matter of time” by a reputable source.
Vini Jr, who won FIFA’s The Best prize at the end of 2024, has recently been contacted by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is pushing to complete a transfer that would further increase the growing reputation of the division.
ESPN reports that after first making contact with the 24-year-old over a transfer last summer, efforts are once again stepping up to lure the attacker to the Middle East.
It states that PIF, which owns the Saudi Pro League’s top four clubs, contract Vini Jr’s entourage in December. No formal offer was made but it was eager to show the South American that interest still exists.
READ MORE: Real Madrid reach Alexander-Arnold agreement as €40m January transfer confirmed
Current ETV
Vinicius Junior
F (CL), M (L)
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior
F (CL), M (L)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€91.8M - €153M
Football’s first €1bn deal?
Real Madrid have grown increasingly fearful of losing Vini Jr, whose contract at the Bernabeu expires in 2027. With a €1 billion release clause in his current deal, Los Blancos are afforded some significant insurance against a deal being pushed through, however. There is no indication that PIF are prepared to shatter the world transfer record – currently Neymar’s €222m move from Barcelona to PSG – to make the deal.
The draw of the Saudi Pro League for Vini is clear, though. According to reports, he will be offered an annual salary of €350 million – a deal that would put him second only to Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo among football’s biggest earners.
Marca has reported that Al-Hilal is a likely destination for Vini Jr, yet this is the club also thought to be closest to signing Mohamed Salah from Liverpool in a deal that Saudi reports indicate is “99% done”.
Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel, meanwhile, is bullish over the prospect of a move.
When asked about signing Vini from Real Madrid, he said: “We don't dream. It's a matter of time and negotiations.”
