The Saudi Pro League have reportedly stepped up their 'very serious' pursuit of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior ahead of the summer transfer window.
Vinicius has developed into one of the best players in world football since joining Los Blancos in 2018, and at the age of 24 has already won 14 trophies with the club, including three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.
The Brazil international has recorded 101 goals and 85 assists in 295 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, including 16 goals and 12 assists in 30 matches so far this season.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up is under contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2027 and has recently insisted that he wants to stay with the Spanish giants for "much longer".
Vinicius has also denied suggestions that he has spoken with representatives of clubs in the Saudi Pro League over a big-money transfer to the Middle East.
© Imago
Vinicius receives 'unprecedented and irresistible' Saudi offer
However, it has since been reported by Spanish news outlet Marca that Vinicius has been aware of interest in his services from the Saudi Pro League since 2023 when he met with officials of the league, including their vice president Saad Al Lazeez, in Prague.
It is claimed that Vinicius personally sat down with Saudi chiefs for 'approximately 15 minutes' to listen to the project offered to him, and Real Madrid's No.7 showed interest in the proposals from a sporting, economic and personal view.
Talks between both parties are said to have continued ever since and Saudi Pro League clubs backed by the nation's Public Investment Fund (PIF) are prepared to offer Vinicius a five-year deal worth a staggering €1bn (£830m).
The deal would also see the Brazilian attacker serve as an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup held in Saudi Arabia, a role that will also be taken up by Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although Vinicius has made it clear that he would like to stay at Real Madrid, the player's entourage are said to view the mega-money Saudi offer as 'irrefutable' as well as 'unprecedented and irresistible', and the player will now consider his future.
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Could Vinicius really leave Real Madrid for Saudi Pro League?
Vinicius's potential destination in the Middle East is 'still not certain', but PIF-owned quartet Al-Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli are all thought to be in the race for his signature.
As things stand, the Saudi Pro League want to lure Vinicius away from Real Madrid this summer and they are said to feel that contacts between both parties have now reached 'one of their most critical points'.
Vinicius is yet to make a firm decision about his future, though, and is said to remain focused on this season with Los Blancos, but a time will soon come when he must weigh up whether to sign a new deal at the Bernabeu or seek pastures new in the Middle East.
Carlos Ancelotti admitted last month that he would understand if Vinicius opted to make the move to Saudi Arabia, but he is expecting the attacker to remain at Real Madrid.
Oliver Thomas
