La Liga
Against all odds, Vinícius Júnior keeps his renewal with Real Madrid in suspense, a negotiation that seemed closed but has now stalled.
The Brazilian has set a clear condition: he wants to be the highest-paid player in the team or else he will fulfill his contract until 2027 and leave for free.
The situation has caused unease within the board since the winger would be free on June 30 of that year, able to negotiate from the next January 1 with any club without a transfer fee.
Vinícius Salary Demands
The 25-year-old forward has asked to earn a salary similar to or higher than Kylian Mbappé, who is currently the highest-paid player in the squad. This stance surprises at a time when his performance has been inconsistent and marked by injuries, controversies, and criticism from the fans.
Florentino Pérez was counting on finalizing the renewal without complications, but now he is between a rock and a hard place. Giving in to the pressure would disrupt the team's salary balance, while rejecting his conditions would open the door to a cost-free departure.
Saudi Arabia, Eyeing Vinícius
Saudi Arabian clubs are the main entities interested in signing the Brazilian international. Several teams from the Saudi league have offered astronomical contracts, with figures exceeding 100 million euros net per season, making him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.
Madrid flat out rejected the option to sell him last summer, but the risk of losing him without any income grows each day without an agreement.

Since his arrival in 2018, Vinícius has played over 250 official matches with the club, amassing more than 70 goals and 60 assists. Additionally, he played a key role in the 2022 Champions League, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Liverpool.
However, his recent numbers have been below expectations: in the last season, he barely reached 12 goals in 38 matches, far from his best form. This decline fuels the debate on whether he deserves the same economic treatment as Mbappé.
Uncertain Future for Florentino and Madrid
The tension between the parties sets up a dangerous scenario for the club. If the Brazilian does not sign the extension in the coming months, he will be free to negotiate with any team in 2026 and leave for free in 2027.
The board must decide whether to meet his demands or stand firm, risking losing one of their most high-profile stars. The fact is that Vinícius is demanding more money than ever, and Florentino Pérez's response will shape Real Madrid's future in the coming years.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Vinícius pone a Florentino Pérez entre la espada y la pared
