World football is facing news that could redefine the sport’s financial boundaries. Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahly, backed by Saudi Arabia’s powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF), is preparing a historic offer of approximately £864 million (€1 billion) to secure the services of Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid’s Brazilian star. This proposal, which includes a five-year contract with an additional club option, comes after Real Madrid refused to meet demands for a pay raise for the 25-year-old player. The magnitude of this offer, which would surpass the record €222 million paid for Neymar in 2017, has generated a whirlwind of speculation and debate about the young striker’s future.

Vinicius Jr., who has established himself as one of the world’s best wingers since joining Real Madrid in 2018, has been a key player in the club’s recent successes, including two La Liga titles (2023 and 2024) and the 2024 Champions League. With his speed, dribbling, and match-winning ability, the Brazilian has become the face of the Real Madrid project alongside Kylian Mbappé. However, according to recent reports, negotiations to renew his contract, which expires in 2027, have stalled. Vinicius, who currently earns around €10 million annually, has reportedly demanded a higher salary than Mbappé’s, estimated at €15 million net per season, in addition to performance bonuses. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez’s refusal to accept these terms has opened the door to speculation about a possible transfer.

Al-Ahly’s PIF-backed bid not only breaks all financial records but also reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position its league as an attractive destination for football’s biggest stars. Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022, the country has invested astronomical sums to attract players such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mané. Signing Vinicius, at the peak of his career, would be a masterstroke for the Saudi Pro League and a step toward its goal of becoming a global sporting epicenter ahead of the 2034 World Cup, which the country will host. The proposal includes an annual salary that could exceed €150 million, in addition to exclusive image rights and additional benefits, something few clubs in the world can match.

Real Madrid’s response has been forceful. Florentino Pérez, known for his ability to handle complex negotiations, issued a statement stating: “Vinicius is a fundamental pillar of Real Madrid. No offer can change our commitment to him.” However, sources close to the club suggest that relations between the player and the board have become strained after his salary demands were rejected. Some fans fear that the Saudi offer could tempt Vinicius, especially given his recent frustration at not winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Erling Haaland.

In Vinicius’s entourage, silence has been the norm. His agent, according to the newspaper Marca, has not ruled out any possibility, although he emphasized that “Vinicius’s priority is to continue competing at the highest level in Europe.” However, Al-Ahly’s offer represents a unique challenge, combining an unprecedented financial impact with the opportunity to be the face of an ambitious project. On social media, Real Madrid fans have shown their support for the player with the hashtag #ViniNoSeVa, while others have criticized his salary demands at a time when the club is managing a star-studded squad.

The Saudi Pro League, for its part, sees Vinicius as an opportunity to make a qualitative leap. However, recent history, such as Mbappé’s rejection to Al-Hilal in 2023, shows that money isn’t always enough to convince players in their prime. Meanwhile, the football world awaits Vinicius’s decision, which could mark a turning point in his career and in the transfer market. For now, the Santiago Bernabéu remains his home, but the shadow of Saudi millions threatens to change the course of one of the biggest stars in football today.