REAL MADRID are facing a major threat from Saudi Arabia in their bid to hold on to star man Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius, 24, has a contract with Real until 2027 and is currently the club’s joint-highest earner along with star team-mate Kylian Mbappe, both of whom make about £12million per season.
But Los Blancos want to tie the forward down to a new long-term deal and have commenced negotiations with his representatives these past few months.
According to AS, however, Saudi chiefs are determined to bring the Brazil international over to the Middle East “no matter what”.
So much so that they are offering Vini a lucrative five-year deal worth a staggering total of €1billion (£832,000,000).
That is a bid the reigning European champions could never match for last year’s Ballon d’Or runner-up.
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The same source claims Vinicius wants to stay in Madrid but will claim his new status as a global star means he can make higher financial demands.
Real president Florentino Perez has refused to meet with Saudi delegates interested in signing the Brazilian and instead referred them to the player’s whopping €1bn release clause.
Nevertheless, interest from the Saudi Pro League is not expected to disappear any time soon and that is why the reigning Spanish champions want to speed up talks with Vinicius.
Perez wasn’t expected to hold contract talks with the Brazil star until this coming summer but the ongoing competition has forced his hand.
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That is why Real chiefs have contacted the ex-Flamengo star’s camp to find out his financial demands.
The winger issued a response and he is now awaiting the club’s next move.
Nevertheless, the popular player strongly hinted he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for a long time.
Vinicius told TNT after Tuesday’s Champions League victory at Manchester City: “It’s very exciting to be able to open talks with Madrid about my renewal.
“I have a contract until 2027, but I have always said that I want to play here for a long time, to be able to make history and to receive the affection of the fans along with the president, all the players and the coaching staff.
“And God willing, hopefully in the next few days all the negotiations can be resolved and I can stay here for much longer.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
