Saudi Arabia makes bold move to acquire Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid

Wednesday 29 January 2025 - 09:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Saudi Arabia makes bold move to acquire Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid

In a remarkable display of ambition, Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to make a staggering offer of €1.3 billion for Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger, Vinicius Jr. If the deal goes through, it would set a new record for the highest football transfer in history.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds control over several major clubs in the Saudi Pro League, had previously attempted to secure Vinicius’s services last season. At that time, Real Madrid firmly stated that they would not entertain any offers below Vinicius's €1 billion release clause.

Now, the PIF is back with an even more enticing proposal. They are willing to front $300 million immediately for the transfer, a figure that would surpass the previous record held by Neymar's transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, which was completed for $222 million.

However, the financial allure doesn't stop there; Vinicius himself stands to gain an eye-popping €1 billion over the next five years, potentially positioning him as one of the highest-paid athletes globally, even ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently tops Forbes’ list of football earners.

At just 23 years old, Vinicius has established himself as a pivotal player for Real Madrid, notably finishing as a finalist for the Ballon d’Or last year. His exceptional speed and skill have made him a fan favorite and a key figure in the sport. Despite Neymar's recent departure from Saudi club Al-Hilal after a challenging tenure marred by injuries, the Saudi Pro League remains determined to attract top talent, with Vinicius potentially being their next high-profile acquisition.

This bold move underscores Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to enhance its football landscape by attracting elite players from around the world.