Vinícius sets out Real Madrid priority amid speculation over future
Despite Yan Diomande’s mooted arrival at the Bernabéu, Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid remain aligned on the Brazilian’s future.
Things are moving at breakneck speed at Real Madrid. Out of nowhere came the news that the club is close to signing Yan Diomande, one of the breakout stars of this summer’s World Cup. The fact that Diomande shares an agent with Vinícius Júnior - Frederico Pena - immediately fueled speculation about a possible Bernabéu departure for the Brazilian. But according to information obtained by AS, nothing could be further from the truth. Vinícius’ priority is to sign a new contract with Madrid. Likewise, the club’s priority is to extend the forward’s deal.
Contract talks set to resume
Vinícius’ contract situation, with just one season remaining on his current agreement, has not gone unnoticed among Europe’s elite clubs. It represents a major market opportunity, whether he were to leave now or wait until the summer of 2027 without renewing, when he would become a free agent. The latest heavyweight to make a move is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, which recently began exploratory contacts, as reported by The Athletic. Before the Gunners, Liverpool also expressed interest in a potential deal, although with an eye toward signing him on a free transfer in 2027. Everyone wants him, but Vinícius wants Real Madrid.
Talks over the Brazilian star’s contract renewal are set to resume next week once the player returns from vacation. Before making any decision about his future, Vinícius wants to sit down with club executives and hear firsthand where he fits into this new project that is beginning to take shape under José Mourinho. He also wants to know whether the club’s financial valuation reflects the status he has earned as one of the biggest stars in world soccer. Mourinho shares the view that players of Vinícius’ caliber cannot be allowed to leave and is already working on ways to maximize the potential of what could become a devastating front three of Diomande, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinicius, with Jude Bellingham supplying the creativity behind them.
Negotiations over a new contract were at an advanced stage before they came to an abrupt halt. That happened after last summer’s Club World Cup. At that point, the player had significantly lowered his original salary demands, which were initially very high, while Madrid had improved its offer. The gap had become so small that an agreement was widely considered inevitable. But neither side was willing to budge during the final stretch of negotiations, and the deal was never signed. That’s where things still stand today.
How much is Vinícius asking for?
Vinícius is now seeking a salary of around $23.5 million net per season, an increase that is not especially dramatic, roughly $6 million more than what he has been earning under his previous extension, which was agreed in 2022 (although it was not officially announced until late 2023). He signed a five-year deal through 2027 and agreed to receive a total of about $88 million net over the life of the contract, an average of around $17.5 million net per season, under a progressive pay structure. The contract also included a clause awarding him an additional $2.3 million after he won FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award in 2024.
The player has at times felt underappreciated because of several developments over the past few months, including the club’s interest in Julián Álvarez and later in Michael Olise. Vinícius was instrumental in Real Madrid’s last two Champions League triumphs, yet after those successes the club signed Bellingham, who inevitably drew some of the spotlight, and later Mbappé. Even so, the Brazilian has never lost his importance within the team. He remains a vital figure. Now, with Diomande set to arrive, he intends to stay that way. His plan is to renew his contract, and he is prepared to make the process straightforward. Real Madrid’s plan is also to agree an extension. If a deal is finally reached, it would be every bit as significant as landing the biggest Galáctico signing imaginable.
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