According to reports, negotiations for the extension of Vinicius Jr.’s contract, which runs until 2027, began earlier this year at the club’s initiative. Although progress has been made, sources close to the player say an agreement remains distant. The initial proposal from Federico Peña, Vinicius Jr.’s agent, was deemed unacceptable by Real Madrid due to the club’s strict wage structure.

Vinicius Jr. is demanding €30 million net per year, including all clauses and bonuses, while Real Madrid is unwilling to exceed their €20 million annual cap. Talks are currently on hold but expected to resume soon. The Brazilian currently earns €17 million per year after his 2022 extension, similar to Kylian Mbappé’s base salary (excluding his signing bonus) and slightly more than Jude Bellingham after his improved deal last year.

To strengthen their negotiating position, Roc Nation Brazil, Vinicius Jr.’s agency, has been actively engaging with Saudi officials for months to secure a lucrative offer. This strategy mirrors the approach of European star agents since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) initiative, PACE, two years ago. The project, backed by massive financial injections, has attracted stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané.

Since January, Roc Nation has held at least two in-person meetings with Saudi Pro League officials—one revealed by Marca—to present an offer aimed at pressuring Real Madrid. These discussions included scenarios like Vinicius Jr. becoming an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. However, rumors of a €200 million annual offer were never real, and no official proposal has been made to date.

Vinicius Jr.’s dip in form this season has not helped negotiations. Despite 20 goals and 16 assists in 50 games, he has fallen short of last season’s brilliance, which earned him the UEFA Best Player award and put him in Ballon d’Or contention.

This season, Vinicius Jr. has made headlines more for controversies and erratic behavior than on-field excellence. His strained relations with teammates due to off-field antics and lack of defensive contribution, along with criticism from club officials, have weakened his standing.

Some within the club believe that with Mbappé arriving as the undisputed leader of the future project, Vinicius Jr.’s value should be reassessed. They argue that if the rumored Saudi offer materializes, both parties should consider it. However, an agreement is still expected, though Real Madrid’s current crisis has complicated the process.

Source: Marca