Real Madrid find themselves at a major crossroads as contract renewal negotiations with star winger Vinicius Jr. have hit a serious snag. The Brazilian forward, who has been one of the most electrifying players at the Santiago Bernabéu in recent seasons, is reportedly demanding a salary on par with the club’s newest marquee signing, Kylian Mbappe.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Vinicius is asking for a net salary of €23 million annually, which would bring his gross salary to a staggering €46 million per year — a 50% increase on his current earnings. This demand, however, has caused a significant standstill in negotiations, sparking internal debate at Real Madrid about the player’s future.
The timing of this standoff is particularly sensitive. Just as Real Madrid prepare to usher in a new era with Kylian Mbappe leading the line, the club is now facing the real possibility of losing another key piece of their attacking puzzle. While the club has always maintained that Vinicius Jr. is not for sale, the dynamics have shifted dramatically in recent weeks.
Vinicius’ form last season hasn’t exactly helped his case. Despite contributing 22 goals in 58 appearances, many at the club believe the Brazilian failed to deliver consistently when it mattered most. The contrast to Mbappe’s blistering 44-goal campaign has only intensified the pressure on the 23-year-old to justify his wage demands.
Behind closed doors, Real Madrid’s top executives are weighing their options. While they acknowledge Vinicius’ commercial appeal and his key role in recent Champions League triumphs, they are also aware that granting him parity with Mbappe could disrupt the club’s wage structure and trigger similar demands from other stars.
Perhaps most surprising is the interest coming from Saudi Arabia. Reports suggest that unnamed Saudi clubs have expressed concrete interest in signing Vinicius Jr., with potential transfer figures being floated as high as €350 million. While this would mark one of the most expensive transfers in football history, it’s worth noting that Vinicius’ current release clause stands at an astronomical €1 billion.
Still, Real Madrid are reportedly not holding firm to that clause. Club sources say they are open to entertaining serious offers if the contract standoff continues into the final weeks of the summer transfer window. Florentino Pérez is said to prefer a resolution before the season kicks off to avoid dressing room distractions.
The idea of selling Vinicius is undoubtedly controversial. He has been seen as one of the cornerstones of Madrid’s post-Ronaldo project and was instrumental in their recent Champions League and La Liga successes. Letting him go could be perceived as a step backward, especially if it means handing more responsibility to younger or less experienced attackers.
However, Real Madrid’s new Galáctico policy revolves around financial discipline and prioritizing long-term strategy over sentiment. With Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and now Mbappe in the mix, the club may feel they can afford to let Vinicius leave — especially if the price is right.
As things stand, there’s no formal bid on the table, but if the Saudi offer materializes in the coming weeks, Real Madrid will have a massive decision to make. Keep hold of one of their brightest stars amid contract friction, or cash in at a time when the transfer market is boiling with mega-money offers?
The next few weeks could define not only the future of Vinicius Jr. but also the direction Real Madrid take in the era of Mbappe.