Vinicius rejects $1.1 bn Saudi offer

Brazilian Vinicius Junior, winger for the Spanish club Real Madrid, rejected a Saudi offer to play for Al-Ahli Football Club.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported yesterday that the Saudi offer is worth €1 billion ($1.1 billion) over five years.

Marca also reported that this is “the biggest transfer deal in football history”, noting that “Al-Ahli Saudi club is willing to do anything to sign the Brazilian striker.”

Reuters reported, quoting a source close to the 24-year-old star, that “Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr is open to an offer of more than one billion euros from Saudi Arabia,” while another source close to him said “Real have shown no interest in negotiating a transfer, highlighting the player’s one billion euro buy-out clause.”

According to the agency, the player was “approached by Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) officials to inquire about his interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) on a five-year contract worth around 200 million euros per season fixed, plus bonuses.”

The Saudi officials offered a separate ten-year contract, making the Brazilian star an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup, which is expected to be held in the kingdom.

Vinicius, one of the most prominent candidates to win this year’s Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball), renewed his contract with Real Madrid in late 2023, and is set to continue with the club until the summer of 2027.

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