MX23RW : Monday, October 14 09:22:28| >> :120:45641:45641:

Real Madrid transfer news: Brazilian star 'rejects' Saudi Pro League offer

No harm in trying: Real Madrid star 'turns down' Saudi offer
© Imago
Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior rejects a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League, according to a report.

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior has reportedly turned down the chance to move to the Saudi Pro League.

Having been spotted by Blancos scouts while playing for Flamengo, Vinicius endured a slow start to life at the Bernabeu after joining the Spanish giants in a deal worth €45m (£38.5m).

However, since the 2021-22 campaign, Vinicius hit his stride under Carlo Ancelotti, who has overseen his development into one of the most feared attackers in European football.

The Brazil international boasts 83 goals and 75 assists in 264 appearances for Los Blancos in all tournaments, including 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 competitive clashes last term, helping Real complete a Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa de Espana treble.

Despite his status as one of the best players on the planet, and his long-running Bernabeu contract until 2027, Vinicius's future has been thrown into slight doubt due to Real Madrid's captures of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick.

 Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring for Brazil on June 28, 2024 at the Copa America© Imago

Vinicius 'wants to win Ballon d'Or' at Real Madrid

Last season, Vinicius and Rodrygo - who has also been linked with a move away - would often form a strike partnership at the tip of Ancelotti's 4-3-1-2, with Jude Bellingham operating just off the Brazilian pair.

Ancelotti has insisted that Bellingham's role will not change despite Mbappe's arrival, meaning that only one attacking spot could be up for grabs alongside the Frenchman if the Real boss does not revert to a 4-3-3 shape.

Aiming to capitalise on the uncertainty, The Athletic claims that Vinicius's camp were contacted by a delegation from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, who own Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.

The PIF apparently want the 24-year-old to become the face of the Saudi Pro League as the country launch a bid to host the 2034 World Cup, and Vinicius could expect a gargantuan wage packet in the Middle East.

However, the report claims that the former Flamengo protege turned down the offer, as he is perfectly happy in the Spanish capital and wants to win the Ballon d'Or while playing for Real Madrid.

The 15-time European champions also have no desire to part ways with Vinicius, and they inserted a €1bn (£856.2m) release clause into his contract when he agreed an extension back in 2022.

Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Joselu on May 8, 2024 (IMAGO)© Imago

Despite failing with their first approach, the Saudi delegation are reportedly expected to rekindle their interest in Vinicius in future transfer windows, although they are likely to receive the same response from both player and club.

Which other stars are Saudi Arabia targeting?

With a small number of exceptions such as Gabri Veiga, last year's Saudi Pro League recruitment drive focused on signing established stars either in the latter stages of their careers, such as Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.

The PIF's pursuit of Vinicius Junior represents a slight shift in strategy as they go after players in the prime of their careers, but they are equally seeking more superstar signings, in particular from the Premier League.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne are thought to be two of the Saudi Pro League's prime targets, in addition to goalkeeping duo Alisson Becker and Ederson.

The biggest Saudi Pro League transfer so far this summer has been Moussa Diaby's €60m (£51.4m) switch from Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Houssem Aouar and Nacho Fernandez have also made the move to the Middle East.

ID:550204:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6745:

Click here for more stories about Vinicius Junior

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Rodrygo on March 31, 2024
Read Next:
Persistent: Premier League duo not giving up on Real Madrid star Rodrygo?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona98012891924
2Real Madrid96301961321
3Atletico MadridAtletico9450135817
4Villarreal95221717017
5Osasuna94321314-115
6Athletic Bilbao94231310314
7Mallorca942398114
8Rayo Vallecano9342119213
9Celta Vigo94141615113
10Real BetisBetis933388012
11GironaGirona93331112-112
12Sevilla9333910-112
13AlavesAlaves93151115-410
14Espanyol9315913-410
15Real Sociedad923478-19
16Getafe915367-18
17Leganes915359-48
18Valencia9135513-86
19Real ValladolidValladolid9126519-145
20Las PalmasLas Palmas9036917-83


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!