Vinicius Junior has informed Real Madrid he will not sign a new contract with the club, amid growing rumours of a strained relationship with manager Xabi Alonso.
If the Brazilian star does hit the market, expect a queue of Europe’s elite clubs to be scrambling for his signature.
Transfer News Blitz writer Taylor Stephenson gives his thoughts on how the winger’s future might unfold.
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Will he stay or will he go?
Football brings money, money brings fame, and fame brings ego – and Vinicius appears to have achieved all three of those in Madrid.
His reaction to missing out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Rodri told its own story, giving us a first-hand view of just how far he can throw those toys from his pram.
So when Real signed Kylian Mbappé last year, the writing was on the wall. Vinicius was no longer the club’s big attraction, and he hasn’t taken kindly to being nudged out of the spotlight.
Add in Alonso’s decision to leave him on the bench on more than one occasion this season, plus his very public frustration when substituted during El Clásico – and it becomes increasingly difficult to picture him sticking around.
Is a Premier League move likely?
Vinicius is reportedly earning around €350k per week already at Madrid and has asked for a modest bump to €580k – you know, just enough to get by in this brutal economic climate.
Those demands sadly rule out my dream of seeing him grace the pitch for Sunderland… as well as about 15 other Premier League clubs.
With his contract running until 2027, this summer represents Madrid’s best chance to command a substantial fee, with a price tag of around €150 million apparently being set by Los Blancos.
Manchester United are said to be leading the race, which tracks, given their well-documented habit of throwing enormous sums of money at big names in the hope of fixing their ongoing existential crisis.
Their neighbours across town, Manchester City, are also reportedly monitoring the situation, because Financial Fair Play is apparently just an urban legend to them at this point.
Chelsea, too, have been mentioned as a potential suitor, but honestly, how many wingers does one team need?
My prediction
If Alonso remains in charge and no new deal is agreed, Madrid will almost certainly look to cash in on Vinicius this summer.
My prediction? He ends up at Manchester United. He would instantly become the club’s headline act, putting himself back in the spotlight, and United can afford him – especially if they dim the lights and trim a few more canteen staff.
United desperately need world-class players, and Vinicius undeniably fits the bill.
Manchester City would be the next logical destination, but Pep Guardiola is famously picky about the profiles of his wide players. Asking them to play like robots with no flair – Just look at Jack Grealish.
I’m not convinced Vinicius fits his ideal mould, and would Vinicius really accept being second in command behind Erling Haaland?
And if all else fails, there’s always Saudi Arabia, where a gazillion-dollar contract and a warm embrace from the world of sports-washing await.
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