- Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior reportedly wanted in Saudi Pro League
- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is said to be offering 1 billion euros over five years
- PIF owns Al-Hilal, Al Nassr and Al-Ahli, who finished first, second and third last season.
Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out the possibility of Vinicius Junior moving to a club in Saudi Arabia this summer.
Reports have claimed Saudi Pro League chiefs are willing to pay the Brazilian €1bn to tempt him away from Real Madrid.
However, Ancelotti says it is nothing more than pure speculation,
“I can guarantee there is nothing wrong with that,” he said at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup final.
“At the moment, in the transfer market, which closes on August 31, there is only speculation. There is only speculation, nothing more.”
“Of course the speculation doesn’t affect Vinícius,” said Ancelotti. “He’s here, he wants to be here. He wants to do his best and help Real Madrid.”
“Not at all,” said Ancelotti. “We have our project and we are continuing with it. We have a very high-quality squad… We have lost important players and we have brought in others who have to adapt. We have to work to maintain the atmosphere and the commitment, which was key last year.”
Vinicius has been a Madrid player for six seasons, since arriving from Flamengo in 2018.
The 24-year-old has scored 83 goals in 264 appearances for Los Blancos and has won 12 trophies, including two UEFA Champions League crowns.
According to ge.globo.com, a proposal from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund for Vinicius to join Al-Ahli has been verbally delivered to the player’s representatives.
The offer is said to be worth €1 billion over five years, with the proposed annual salary 13 times what Vinicius currently earns at the Bernabeu.
It is also claimed that Vinicius would be given the freedom to decide whether or not he wants to stay in Saudi Arabia for the full duration of his contract.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest-paid player in Saudi Arabia – and in world football – with Al Nassr, also owned by the PIF, paying him around €200 million a year.
However, Ronaldo’s contract is not as long – and therefore not worth as much – as the one apparently offered to Vinicius.
Vinicius is under contract with his current club for another three years, so Al-Ahli would need to reach an agreement with Madrid as well as the player.
That would likely double the total cost, as the report claims Madrid will demand a transfer fee of €1 billion.
