I’ll admit that I don’t have terribly much sympathy for Vinicus Junior, who I think comes across as whiny. He did not win the Ballon d’Or and he is not Real Madrid’s biggest star after Kylian Mbappe landed at the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to reports, Vinicius Jr. is refusing to extend his deal with Real Madrid, who have now opened their eyes to a high-profile replacement.
Read: Tottenham convinced they have found the striker who does the impossible – replace Harry Kane
The Brazilian international has a contract at the Santiago Bernabéu until 2027, but his long-term future with the “Whites” is quite uncertain. Vinicius has occasionally found himself out of the starting line-up under manager Xabi Alonso. He issued an apology after an outburst that followed the Spaniard’s decision to substitute him in El Clásico in October. – But what he said is still there.
As he left the pitch in the 72nd minute, Vinicius shouted: “Always me, I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I go, I’m leaving.”
However, although he apologized to President Florentino Pérez in a meeting, according to a detailed article in The Athletic, Vinicius reportedly revealed that he currently has no desire to extend his deal.
Read: Quentin Tarantino’s lost short film from ‘Kill Bill’ is coming to ‘Fortnite’
The striker had been in discussions over new terms since January, but negotiations stalled, and Vinicius did not want to continue talks amid a relationship with Alonso that is described as “strained” and “difficult”.
Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti, and the tensions between him and Vinicius are said to be “a topic of daily debate both inside and outside the club”.
In his statement in October, he did not mention Alonso in an apology, a deliberate ploy, and Vinicius did not feel that he was treated well by the World Cup winner.
The defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup is believed to be at the heart of their disagreements, with Vinicius deployed on the right flank rather than his preferred left after being set for a place on the bench before Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Knowing the situation and the real possibility that one of their most important assets could soon be out the door, Real are set to do everything in their power to convince him to stay.
Real’s clear plan if Vinicius leaves the club
However, SPORT says that the 15-time European champions have a “clear plan” and will look to replace Vinicius with a big player.
First on their list is Manchester City sensation Erling Braut Haaland, who Real have been interested in for a long time.
While it is stressed that it would not “be an easy transition” – especially given that Haaland has a long-term contract with City until 2034 – the club’s relationship with his agent, Rafaela Pimienta, gives hope that a huge deal can be reached.
Vinicius earns around £15.8 million a year at Real, but an offer of a renewal to increase that figure was not accepted, and in response, his team asked for a historic contract close to Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous wage package in the Spanish capital.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) explored the possibility of a mega deal to bring Vinicius to the Middle East, but did not gain traction.
The former Flamengo player is now being linked with Manchester United, with one report claiming that the Red Devils are prepared to formalise their interest with a £176 million bid.
