Ballon D’Or Frontrunner Vinicius Junior Linked with a Move to Saudi Arabia

The transfer rumour mill is in full swing. However, no one could have predicted the rumour that has just come out of Saudi Arabia and Madrid. According to Diario AS, higher ups in Saudi Arabia are interested in acquiring Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.

According to some reports from Spain, Vinicius was approached by official of Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to inquire about his interest in moving to Saudi Arabia and play for a Saudi Pro League club. The officials offered the 24-year-old Brazilian terms which could make him the highest paid sportsperson in the world. The reported terms of the contract were a 5-year deal worth 200-million euros per year, plus add-ons. 

The offer also includes a separate 10-year contract to be an ambassador for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have already signed similar deals with Saudi Arabia to become ambassadors for the event. Saudi officials haven’t made a formal proposal yet, but Vinicius hasn’t ruled it out. Meanwhile, Real Madrid isn’t keen on selling a player who’s a top contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Plus, Vinicius has a whopping €1 billion release clause in his contract. Both Real Madris and Saudi officials have refused to comment on this situation. 

However, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has rubbished the rumours as “speculation.” In a recent pre-match press conference, the Italian manager said, “There isn't anything at all. There's just speculation, at this time in the [transfer] market, which closes on Aug. 31. There's just speculation, nothing else." He further went on to say that such speculations don’t affect Vinicius. He added, “Of course speculation doesn't affect (Vinícius)," Ancelotti said. "He's here, he wants to be here. He wants to do his best and help Real Madrid." 

Saudi Arabia’s financial might took the football world by storm when it was announced that Cristiano Ronaldo would join PIF-backed Al Nassr during the 2023 winter transfer window. Since then, Saudi Arabian clubs have signed the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino and several other top European talents. They also tried to entice Kylian Mbappe to join SPL last season with an offer that amounted to approximately 1 billion euros for just one season. However, Mbappe turned that offer down. The nation has emerged as a serious challenger to European club football’s dominance. But can the Saudis sustain this tactic in the long run? 

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