Vini Jr wants €1bn Saudi Arabia deal despite claim that he will end career in Real Madrid
Football superstar Vinicius Junior reportedly met with officials from the Saudi Pro League as they look to make the Real Madrid star their latest high-profile acquisition.
The Brazilian has been integral to Real Madrid's success in recent years and finished second in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting.
On Tuesday, Vinicius was taunted by Manchester City fans when Los Blancos travelled to the Etihad. Supporters unfurled a banner mocking his being snubbed for the award.
The 24-year-old ultimately had the last laugh though, as he provided two assists as the visitors completed a late comeback to seize the initiative in their Champions League play-off clash.
However, reports from Spain have claimed that Vinicius' future may lay away from the Bernabeu.
According to Marca, officials from Saudi Arabia are determined to bring Vinicius to their burgeoning top flight.
Vinicius is said to have met with officials from the league, namely vice president Saad Al Lazeez, in Prague in 2023 as they attempted to sell him on the move.
Talks between the two parties have reportedly continued ever since, with the gulf state prepared to offer him a five-year deal worth £830million to join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
The deal would also reportedly see the forward serve as an ambassador for the World Cup in 2034 in the country.
Members of his entourage are said to view the tabled proposal as 'unrejectable' thought the player is yet to make a firm decision on his future plans.
Asked following the game against City about the speculation surrounding his future, Vinicius insisted he was intent on continuing his legacy in the Spanish capital for years to come.
He said: 'I don’t know anything either. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet.
'I think I have to talk to the president. I hope I can stay here for a long time. This is my home.'
Saudi Arabia are offering Vinicius a package worth €1bn (a five-year contract worth €200m per season), but they have been keen to stress that the proposal is not purely driven by its financial offerings.
For now, the situation is very open, as Vinicius has yet to make a definitive decision, despite his comments earlier this week.' I'm not going anywhere
