SALARY WAR THREATENS TO UNSETTLE MADRID’S FUTURE STAR AS SAUDI OFFER LOOMS
Real Madrid could be on the brink of a major internal storm. Their Brazilian talisman, Vinícius Júnior, is reportedly locked in a tense standoff with the club over his contract renewal and Saudi giants are circling with intent. Vinícius Júnior’s Saudi transfer rumors intensified after Real Madrid failed to meet his new wage demands.
While Vinícius’s current deal runs until June 2027, talks for an improved contract have stalled, sources confirm, due to an explosive wage dispute. The 24-year-old winger is believed to be demanding a whopping €25–30 million net per year, a figure that would surpass even Kylian Mbappé’s €23 million net salary at Madrid.
And Real Madrid? Not budging.
WHY VINÍCIUS IS PUSHING FOR THE BAG
Vinícius has evolved into Madrid’s main attacking threat over the past two seasons, becoming the face of the team during its transition period. Following Mbappé’s high-profile arrival at the Bernabéu, insiders suggest the Brazilian’s camp feels undervalued despite his contributions.
Madrid reportedly pays Vinícius around €15 million net per year, which aligns with Mbappé’s base salary — but without the mammoth signing bonus that puts the Frenchman’s total compensation far higher.
“Vinícius believes he deserves to be the club’s top earner,” a source close to the negotiation told El País. “He’s not just asking for money — he wants recognition.”
SAUDI CLUBS READY TO STRIKE – COULD THIS BE THE NEXT BLOCKBUSTER EXIT?
As Vinícius Júnior Saudi transfer link grows stronger amid the standoff, Saudi Pro League clubs are closely monitoring the situation, with senior scouts and officials said to be in “standby mode” for a possible move if talks collapse.
Sources in Riyadh claim that at least two clubs have made discreet approaches via intermediaries, with a view to launching a record-breaking offer if relations between Vinícius and Madrid sour.
While rumors of a €1 billion contract remain wildly speculative, what’s certain is this: Saudi clubs are not afraid to break the bank — especially for a superstar with global commercial appeal.
Vinícius would join a growing list of top European players lured to the Middle East, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema. And at just 24, he’d be the youngest marquee name to make the switch a move that would reshape global football’s transfer dynamics. imolesport earlier reported
REAL MADRID’S WAGE STRUCTURE UNDER THREAT?
Behind the scenes, Real Madrid’s top brass are walking a financial tightrope. Matching Vinícius’s demands would disrupt the club’s internal wage hierarchy, potentially triggering demands from other stars like Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde.
President Florentino Pérez has reportedly insisted on maintaining a “balanced wage structure,” even if that means risking the loyalty of one of Madrid’s most beloved players.
Insiders fear this could mirror the saga that led to Sergio Ramos’s departure — a contract breakdown that ended an era. Could history be repeating itself?
FINAL WORD: MADRID AT A CROSSROADS
Make no mistake — this is not just a salary dispute. It’s a power struggle between a player who sees himself as the future of the club and a board determined to set limits even in the Mbappé era.
Whether Madrid meets Vinícius’s demands or watches him walk away, one thing is clear: Saudi Arabia is watching… and waiting.
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