Vinicius Junior is close to announcing his decision amid rumours of a mega-money transfer from Real Madrid to the Saudi Pro League, with a new contract also on the table
Vinicius Junior is poised to sign a new contract with Real Madrid to finally put to bed speculation of a record transfer to Saudi Arabia. Vinicius had been the subject of a rumoured £200million move to the Middle East, but the Brazilian forward now looks set to commit his future to Los Blancos.
The 24-year-old forward has established himself as one of the best players in the world by recording 105 goals and 79 assists since joining Real from Flamengo. His talent and star power had made him a target of the Saudi Pro League, with a five-year deal worth £830m mooted in which he would become an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup in the country.
Vinicius has always spoken of his desire to continue playing for Real and hopefully etch his name into the history of the club, rather than follow the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in moving to Saudi Arabia. And it now appears as though he is about to come good on that promise, with a contract extension beyond his current deal which expires in June 2027 in the works.
Marca reports that an agreement is close to being finalised and he will put pen to paper on a new deal which will run until 2030. The club and player are reportedly on the same page and it is now just a matter of time until a new contract is announced.
That information tallies with what Vinicius has said publicly. “I am very calm because my contract lasts until 2027 and I hope to renew my contract as soon as possible because I am happy here,” he said last month.
“I am living the dream of playing with the best players in the world, the best coach, the best president, the best fans. Here everybody loves me so much. I couldn't be in a better place. My childhood dream was to make it here. Now I have managed to make it here, I am writing my story.
“I have won but I can still win much more and make it into the history of the club. That is very complicated because many good players have been here, legends, and I want to be just like them. I'm still experiencing incredible things with this shirt, fulfilling my dreams and I hope we can continue like this.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti echoed his thoughts when he addressed the subject in February. He said: “Yes, I'm tired of this topic but I'm not worried. I see him happy and we are happy with him. There's nothing more to add with respect to what I said a week or two weeks ago.
“It's not a topic that we discuss here. He [Vinicius] doesn't discuss it. All I can tell you is what I see here, he is happy, eager to do things well and make history with the club. I see the same Vinicius as always, very eager to do things well.”