Real Madrid have no intention of letting Vinícius Júnior leave the club — even if they are offered a transfer fee that would smash the world record, reports Diario AS.
A source told ESPN’s Gustavo Hofman and Alex Kirkland on Monday that Vinícius had become the latest target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, and the Real Madrid player is ready to consider a proposal to move to the Gulf country. Al Ahli are trying to persuade the forward to make the move.
The world-record transfer is held by Paris Saint-Germain, who triggered Neymar’s €222 million release clause to sign the Brazilian from Barcelona in 2017.
However, since that shock move clubs have put more prohibitive transfer values within contracts. Real Madrid are refusing to entertain a deal, telling Al Ahli that Vinícius’ release clause stands at £1 billion.
Marca reported on Tuesday that Madrid and Vinicius had “rejected the biggest transfer in the history of football” saying “the biggest contract in the world of sport” was on the table.
According to Marca, neither Madrid nor Vinicius would even consider opening exploratory talks over a move, and “nobody inside the club” is contemplating a future without the forward at the Bernabeu.
Vinícius scored 24 goals in all competitions for Madrid in 2023-24 and has become a key player for the club since joining in 2018, scoring in two Champions League finals.