Vinicius is ‘open’ to the move
The Saudi Pro League has offered over €1billion to sign Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior who is open to the move according to reports.
Sources “close to the player” revealed the astronomical offer on Monday to Reuters.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), who own Premier League side Newcastle United, say they want to buy the 24-year-old Brazilian out of his contract at Los Blancos and make him an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup which is set to be co-hosted by the Middle Eastern nation.
The forward was approached by PIF who inquired about the players interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) for a five-year period which would see him earn €200m per season with bonuses to be added on.
This would make the deal worth €1billion, by far the most a player has ever been paid to move clubs and a show of intent from the Saudi PIF and SPL.
The ambassadorial role would concern a separate 10-year contract, although the financial details of this move are yet to be discussed.
A formal offer is yet to be made by the Saudi PIF, but Vinicius is reportedly open to the move and has given permission to the organisation to contact Real Madrid, with the player and his entourage believing that such a large offer should be studied carefully.
Despite this, the player is noted as being “happy and motivated” in Madrid.
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Meanwhile another source close to the player has highlighted that Real Madrid have no interest in negotiations with the player’s €1billion buy-out clause remaining the only acceptable offer.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very keen on expanding its importance in the footballing world, using money to buy influence and create its own league that can rival the super powers of Europe.
Up until now the biggest Saudi transfer came in 2023 who emptied the coffers to buy superstar Neymar from Paris St Germain for £77m, despite being in the twilight of his career.
However Saudi backers of clubs in Europe have been influential in increasing their spending like at Newcastle United.
The PIF own 75% of the capital of the country’s four main clubs: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the closest anyone has got to this latest Saudi offer, as he his €200m at Al Nassr per year, but on a shorter contract.
Vinicius Junior is valued at £153m by Transfermarkt and has scored 83 goals and assited 73 in 264 games for Los Blancos.
