The news had the effect of a bomb in the corridors of the Bernabéu. Vinicius Jr would have received a monstrous offer from al-Hilal: more than a billion pounds over seven years, wages and image rights included. A sum which makes you dizzy and which, according to the cloakroom noise, would above all be used to put pressure on Real Madrid.
The idea is not new in the offices of Valdebebas: brandish an external threat to win a substantial revaluation. Except that this time, the figures reach new peaks, and the timing questions. Does Vinicius really test the limits of Madrid patience?
An already proven method … but dangerous
This is not the first time that the entourage of the Brazilian has released this card. Already in 2022, initial rumors had miraculously accelerated contractual discussions. But three years later, the context has radically changed. Vini comes out of a halftone season and the arrival of Mbappé redistributed the cards within the Merengue attack.
In this new landscape, waving a starting threat may well produce the opposite effect. Florentino Pérez never appreciated that the hand is forced, and the club's recent history proves it amply.
Vinicius ready to do anything to stay king: the bluffing at 1 billion
Florentino never yields to blackmail
The Madrid president has already given wages of his firmness. In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo had claimed a golden bridge to extend… direction Juventus. Three years later, Sergio Ramos tried to impose his conditions … and found himself at PSG. Florentino Pérez never trembled in front of the Ultimatums, even when they came from his biggest stars.
With the financial fair play that hardens and an already substantial payroll, yielding to the requirements of Vinicius would create an explosive precedent. Other players could be tempted by the same strategy, and Real would lose hands on its salary policy.
Vinicius Jr, the risks of a leak to Saudi gold
To want to push the plug too far, Vinicius also takes risks. Going to Saudi Arabia at 25, a year old from the World Cup, would amount to the go to the football that counts. No more Champions League evenings, finished European prestige. The impact on his career could be irreversible.
Real still keeps some advantages. The player remains under contract until 2027, and his release clause of one billion euros is not there to decorate. If Al-Hilal really wants Vinicius, you will have to go through Madrid. And Florentino may well decide not to facilitate things.
A showdown with unpredictable consequences
For the moment, no Madrid leader confirms the existence of a formal offer. But tensions go up. Between internal jealousies, excessive contractual requests and new sports priorities under the thumb of Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid could choose to hold on.
What if Florentino decided, once again, to show who really commands? The previous Ronaldo could well be repeated, with a vinicius forced to assume his bluff … or to pack his bags.
