Saudi Arabia is preparing a mammoth £200 million bid to sign Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior this summer, according to the Telegraph.
The 24-year-old is a top target for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) as they bid to bolster their league’s profile.
They have already signed Jhon Duran, Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyad Mahrez and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Vinicius is next on their shopping list.
Vinicius joined Madrid from Flamengo as a teenager and has developed into one of the best footballers in the world.
The Brazilian international has recorded 102 goals and 74 assists in 298 appearances for Los Blancos.
Vinicius hasn’t been firing on all cylinders this term, but he has registered 17 goals and 10 assists in 33 outings.
However, rumours continue to swirl that Vinicius is more open to leaving the club after Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.
The Frenchman prefers to operate off the left flank, Vinicius’ favourite position. Add Rodrygo Goes into the mix, and one attacker may have to leave to balance the squad.
Saudi Arabia is ready to offer Vinicius an escape route and could make him the most expensive player in the world this summer.
Any move for the Madrid forward will eclipse the sum Paris St-Germain paid Barcelona for Neymar in 2017. The total package for a potential deal means it could be the most lucrative in football history.
Madrid reportedly do not want to lose one of their star forwards but will sanction the deal if he asks to leave.
Although Vinicius’ Saudi destination remains undecided, Al-Hilal could be his next stomping ground.
Al-Hilal is the most decorated club in the SPL and one of those backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
They have also secured a spot in this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States of America, where they will meet Madrid in the group stage.
