Ramón Planes, sporting director of Al Ittihad, fueled the “Vinicius case”. The Spanish executive did not hesitate to fuel rumors placing Vinicius Júnior at the center of the ambitious Saudi Pro League project, confirming that interest in the Brazilian is real and tangible. “Yes, I see the possibility of Vinicius coming to Saudi. It is possible to have top players here at their peak,” Planes said, clarifying that the Arab country is no longer content with stars in the twilight of their careers.
This position marks a paradigm shift in Saudi Arabia’s recruitment strategy. While in previous years the focus was on veteran legends, the current intention is to attract footballers who, like Vinicius, are dominating the world stage in their prime. For the Saudi project, the incorporation of the Madrid “7” would not only be a high-level sporting reinforcement, but also a symbolic demonstration of force in the promotion of the 2034 World Cup, demonstrating its ability to compete with the hegemony of the major European clubs.
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Within Real Madrid, the news is received with a mixture of caution and firmness. Even if the club has always invoked the release clause of one billion euros to protect its star, the external economic pressure is becoming difficult to ignore. With a contract ending in 2027 and renewal negotiations under media scrutiny, the players’ camp is watching how offers from the Middle East could make Vinicius the highest-paid athlete in history, surpassing all figures ever seen in professional football.
For his part, the player finds himself at an important professional and personal crossroads. Despite his deep connection with the Santiago Bernabéu and his desire to continue writing history in white, the constant episodes of media and social tensions that he experiences in Europe could influence his final decision. The possibility of becoming the face of an expanding league, far from the scrutiny he faces in Spain and with a contract that would secure the future of several generations, is a temptation that those around him are forced to seriously consider.
The outcome of this potential transfer seems linked to the measures taken by the white club during the next transfer markets of 2025. If Real Madrid does not intend to sell its franchisee, the scale of the operation, which is expected to reach record figures in terms of transfers, would force all parties to sit at the negotiating table. As Ramón Planes rightly points out, the scenario has changed: Arabia is no longer a golden retreat but a direct competitor capable of seizing the greatest assets of European football.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
📸 Ange Martinez – 2025 Getty Images
