Vini Jr Looks Set To Stay In Madrid Despite Saudi Move Rumours

By: Gyang Dakwo

Real Madrid are close to agreeing a contract extension with Vinicius Jr after discussions began in January amid interest from Saudi Arabia to sign FIFA’s Player of the Year to a record-breaking deal, multiple sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Despite the Brazil forward’s current contract running to the end of the 2026-27 season, the Spanish champions contacted the player’s agents last month to rework his deal and put an end to the Saudi interest that has rumbled on for over a year.

A source close to Vinicius Jr said that, despite multiple contacts from Saudi Arabia showing interest over a possible move to Al Ahli, a formal contract offer was never discussed and Saudi confidence in a possible move has waned in recent months.

Real have denied being contacted by Saudi authorities but a source close to the Madrid club said they were approached by Saudi Public Investment Fund officials during the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah in early January to enquire about Vinicius Jr.

However, the European champions showed no interest in negotiating a transfer, highlighting the 24-year-old player’s one billion euros ($1.04 billion) buy-out clause as the only scenario in which they would allow the Brazilian to leave.

“I don’t know anything, nobody has talked to me about (a Saudi offer),” Vinicius Jr told TNT Sports after Real’s 3-2 win at Manchester City in their Champions League playoff first-leg on Tuesday. “They have to speak to (Real’s) president. I hope I can stay here for a long time,” added the player of the match.

“It’s always very exciting to be able to open talks with Real Madrid about my renewal. I have a contract until 2027, but I’ve always spoken of my desire to be able to play here for a long time, to be able to make history here.”

Real announced Vinicius Jr’s last contract extension in October 2023, which was a four-year deal reportedly worth a net 13.5 million euros in salary per season.

He opted for a shorter, incentive-based deal, rather than the usual five-to-six-year contracts most Real players sign, in a bet on his progress as one of Europe’s leading young players.