Vinicius Junior in line for Al-Ahli contract that would make Real Madrid star highest-paid athlete in the world
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has not ruled out a transfer to Saudi Arabia, and could become the world’s highest-paid athlete
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- Audacious approach from the Middle East
- Brazilian forward willing to listen to offer
- Records must be smashed in order to do deal
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Table of Contents
ToggleWHAT HAPPENED?
Talk of interest from the Middle East was first covered by , with the Brazil international said to have ruled out a move away from Santiago Bernabeu being made at this stage. GOAL has, however, discovered that an audacious approach has not been knocked back and talks are set to take place.
- Getty
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Al-Ahli, who already have ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino on their books, are understood to be the side piecing together a remarkable €1 billion (£854m/$1.1bn) package. The largest contract ever seen in professional sport is supposedly being readied for Vinicius.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The South American’s representatives have made it clear to Al-Ahli that it would take a record-breaking transfer fee and personal terms in order to do a deal. Those in Saudi will not have to meet a €1bn release clause in Vinicius’ contract, but will have to part with at least €300m (£256m/$328m) in order to complete a marquee signing and top Paris Saint-Germain’s stunning €222m (£190m/$243m) acquisition of Neymar in 2017.
- Getty/GOAL
WHAT NEXT?
Al-Ahli are prepared to put a package in place that would see Vinicius earn over €1bn across a long-term contract. Said terms, which still need to be formalised and officially presented, would see the 24-year-old eclipse Al-Nassr icon Cristiano Ronaldo and Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi when it comes to earning power, while also moving above MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani – who penned a $700m (£547m) agreement with the LA Dodgers in December 2023.
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