The Battle Between Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia for Vinicius Intensifies

Vinicius is at the centre of an intense battle between Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid, which promises to be highly eventful. The Wahhabi kingdom is prepared to shake up the market to secure the Brazilian forward's services. According to 'Marca', they have already met with the player to present the astronomical offer with which Saudi football aims to make the biggest impact yet in its attempt to become the focal point of global attention.

The salary would amount to one billion euros over five seasons, at a rate of 200 million per year. A proposal that those close to the forward consider irresistible, potentially serving as leverage for the Fluminense player in negotiations with Real Madrid to improve and extend his contract, which expires on June 30, 2027.

Saudi Arabia has made Vinicius its prime target for this summer, believing that his status as the current FIFA The Best award winner, media projection, age, and sporting progression make him the ideal star to become the leading figure of an industry that initially attracted stars in the twilight of their careers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, or Neymar, but is now beginning to lure figures still in their prime, with an eye on the World Cup the country will host in 2034.

Within this strategy to rejuvenate a league that wants to shed its image as an elephant graveyard, Vinicius plays a central role. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages the country's top clubs, is sparing no expense to win over the player. Besides the staggering financial offer that would make him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, they are trying to attract him with other benefits in terms of commercial agreements and making him the main brand ambassador for the 2034 World Cup.

The move makes perfect sense. Vinicius has become not only one of the most followed footballers worldwide but also a civil rights icon for his fight against racism. At 24, he has both the present and future at his feet, so taking him from Real Madrid to Saudi Arabia would be a seismic shift.

The siren calls of Saudi football, which began last year, are louder than ever due to the meeting between the forward and his entourage with intermediaries and members of the Saudi royal family, as reported by 'Marca'. These developments have heightened alarm levels within Real Madrid. Those close to Vinicius believe the proposal is irresistible and are trying to convey this to the forward, who remains open to all possibilities and is also listening to Real Madrid.

The Brazilian revealed on Tuesday that he is in talks with Real Madrid to extend the contract he signed in 2022 until June 30, 2027. "It's very exciting to open talks with Madrid about my renewal," he said in the mixed zone after the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match against Manchester City at the Etihad. "I have a contract until 2027, but I've always said I want to play here for a long time, to make history and receive the affection of the fans alongside the president, all the players, and the coaching staff. And if God wills, hopefully, the negotiations can be resolved in the coming days, and I can stay here for much longer," added the number '7'.

Although Vinicius has repeatedly expressed his desire to continue building his legacy at Real Madrid - "Making history here is very important to me and my whole family. Hopefully, I can stay here for many more years," he said just a couple of weeks ago after reaching 101 goals with Real Madrid - his agents could use the Saudi proposal to push for a better salary than the approximately 15 million euros net per season he currently earns at the Chamartín club, plus an additional two million for each remaining year of his contract as a bonus after winning the FIFA The Best award.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid has already taken steps by informing his agents of their intention to renew Vinicius's contract and is awaiting a response. The club, led by Florentino Pérez, does not plan to sell the Brazilian and refers to the one billion euro release clause for any incoming offers, but it is also unwilling to disrupt the salary scale and does not accept any challenges, as demonstrated by precedents like Cristiano Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos. The chess game is set, and its outcome could mark a turning point in the industry.