Real Madrid has set off a bomb in the transfer market that no one expected in the middle of July. Florentino Pérez has given the green light to a move that could change the balance of power in Europe. Vinícius Jr., one of the faces of the white project, has been officially put on the market.
The Brazilian, who didn't perform as desired last season, wants a historic contract renewal to stay. After Mbappé's arrival, he's demanding a contract at the same level as the Frenchman's. That has clashed head-on with the board, which isn't willing to break its wage structure.
The player's entourage has already been informed: the club will listen to offers if he doesn't lower his financial demands. Vinícius believes that his importance in the team deserves a salary in line with his media and sporting status. But Real Madrid isn't willing to match Mbappé's numbers for another attacking player.
Tension rises in Valdebebas and the market reacts
In the white locker room, people are already talking about the "Vini case" as one of the most delicate topics of the summer. The player, upset with the salary gap, has hinted at his discomfort in several meetings with his entourage. Even sources close to him claim that he has formally requested to explore an exit if there's no agreement.
Real Madrid hasn't actively offered him, but has made it clear that it will consider any proposals that arrive. The valuation starts at €150 million, although the real challenge will be taking on his salary. Vinícius earns nearly €20 million net per season and is aiming for a substantial raise.
That considerably reduces the number of offers. In Europe, there are few clubs that can handle a move of that magnitude. That's exactly why all eyes have shifted to the new epicenter of money: Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia enters the scene with a massive offer
According to sources close to the player, a Saudi club has already put an offer on the table that's impossible to refuse. The contract would exceed €440 million in total, including salary and long-term variables. A figure that would leave even the biggest European powers without an answer.
Vinícius now faces a vital decision for his career: stay at the top or go for the gold. Real Madrid won't keep him if the financial offer becomes an unmissable opportunity. The club has already activated the plan to cover his possible departure with another high-profile player.
This move, although unrelated to FC Barcelona, will have a direct impact on Barça's planning. The blaugrana club had focused part of its sales strategy on the Saudi market. With Lewandowski, Araujo, and Christensen among the names most likely to leave, Saudi Arabia was a key destination.
Barça forced to wait for the domino effect
With Vinícius now at the center of the stage, those moves have been put on hold. Until the Brazilian's future is settled, Saudi clubs won't make a move for other European players. The investment is so large that, for now, it halts the rest of the planned operations.
Barça is already aware and is reconfiguring its market timing. The departure of some of its most valuable assets depended on receiving offers from Saudi Arabia. Vinícius's arrival could completely alter that flow and slow down the entry of necessary income.
Hansi Flick, who counts on Lewandowski and Araujo as key pieces, is aware of the situation. He didn't want to lose them, but he understood that the club had to sell to balance the books and enable new arrivals. Now, those decisions will have to wait until Real Madrid and Vinícius clarify their future.
Vinícius has already made his decision
Everything indicates that Vinícius Jr will accept the Saudi offer in the coming days, according to reports from Brazil. The player has accepted that he won't get the contract renewal he desires in Madrid, and Saudi Arabia is offering him everything he's looking for. Visibility, money, and mega-star status in a project centered on him.
His departure would leave a huge void at Real Madrid and could alter the club's sporting plans for the season. Barça are also watching closely: the domino effect will impact several fronts for the blaugrana club. Until Vinícius's future is solved, the rest of the market will be frozen.