Vinicius Junior has reportedly rejected an initial contract offer from Real Madrid after opening talks over an extension with the club.
The Brazilian superstar signed his current deal back in 2022, which runs through until 2027 and includes a staggering €1billion (£830m) release clause.
However, Real Madrid are said to be keen to tie the 24-year-old to a new long-term deal, having been linked with a move away last summer.
Negotiations have opened between club and player over a contract renewal, according to The Athletic - but Los Blancos' first offer has been turned away by the Vinicius Jr camp.
The Brazil international is looking for an increase in pay to accurately reflect his status as one of the best players on the planet.
With a reported current annual salary of around £12.5m net of tax, Vinicius Jr is on a similar wage to teammate Kylian Mbappe, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain last year.
However, his future in the Spanish capital is far from certain, with Saudi Pro League suitors reportedly keen on a move.
Saudi representatives are said to have made new contact with the player's camp in December after holding initial conversations in the summer.
A move to the Middle East could easily see Vinicius Jr made the most expensive player in the world, which may force Real Madrid to loosen the purse strings if they look to keep ahold of him.
Looking to make progress on a new deal, Real Madrid requested to meet with the player's camp and close family in mid-January to discuss an extension.
The initial proposal from the club, which included a bump in salary, was rejected - but talks are expected to continue.
Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid back in 2018 for a fee of £37.5m, signing from Brazilian outfit Flamengo after bursting onto the scene in his homeland.
He has since gone on to make 293 appearances for Madrid, scoring 101 goals and making 83 assists.
In that time, he has won two La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and two FIFA Club World Cups with the club, establishing himself as a generational talent.
He secured the FIFA Best men's player of the year award in 2024 but was overlooked for the Ballon d'Or, missing out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
Joacdemuy
64
Ronaldo made the same mistake of expecting a rise but never got it. You're a good player no doubt, but Madrid never allows players to pressure em. I like him but if he goes we get Halland or Isak preferably and shift Kylian to the left, Perez will be pleased with 300m in the bag for sure. Most Madrid fans will be pleased with Haaland or Isak. period
Shmonny
39
Saudi Arabia should be banned from the world football transfer market because the amount of money they are injecting into the transfer market is unlawful and Will soon spoil the football environment.
Fetcimpstu
20
99% people work in this world for money,,normal people change their job when they get 1 dollar more per hr ,,so if he get more money elsewhere ,let him go,,it’s a human nature,,
Ksm_city
11
Ronaldo made the same mistake of expecting a rise but never got it. You're a good player no doubt, but Madrid never allows players to pressure em. I like him but if he goes we get Halland or Isak preferably and shift Kylian to the left, Perez will be pleased with 300m in the bag for sure. Most Madrid fans will be pleased with Haaland or Isak. period
Haaland just signed a life contract with City 😂 So better remove his name from ur mouth 😅
weydlosuz
9
Ronaldo made the same mistake of expecting a rise but never got it. You're a good player no doubt, but Madrid never allows players to pressure em. I like him but if he goes we get Halland or Isak preferably and shift Kylian to the left, Perez will be pleased with 300m in the bag for sure. Most Madrid fans will be pleased with Haaland or Isak. period
Football is a business, if Madrid get someone better than him, they will surely dump him because it’s business and not about loyalty. This is his time to fight for salary increase
fomabeksy
8
Ronaldo made the same mistake of expecting a rise but never got it. You're a good player no doubt, but Madrid never allows players to pressure em. I like him but if he goes we get Halland or Isak preferably and shift Kylian to the left, Perez will be pleased with 300m in the bag for sure. Most Madrid fans will be pleased with Haaland or Isak. period
Are you a destroyer? You don’t have any respect for the good player like Vini. Haaland and Izak are not the Vini jr Level.