Real Madrid to begin talks with Vinicius Jr amid Saudi Arabia threat

If Vinicius Junior wasn't considered a household name before, his recent FIFA The Best and Globe Soccer awards have certainly done so now, prompting Real Madrid to take action and secure the Brazilian's future at the Spanish capital. According to 'AS', 'Los Blancos' are ready to speed up the process for the forward's renewal, with an internal deadline set for the summer.
The club's objective also involves shutting down any potential threat from Saudi Arabian clubs to lure the player in an attempt to strengthen the domestic league while equally giving the country an image boost in the run-up to the 2034 World Cup. While Vinicius' importance in the club has never been in doubt, the arrival of Mbappe could result in a slight shift in the long-term, with the Frenchman potentially acquiring a more central role.
Vinicius' contract with Real Madrid - valid until 2027 - encloses a €1 billion release clause, which would in most cases suggest that his future at the club is safe. However, Saudi Arabia's financial power poses a menace that Spaniards continue to be wary of. As a result, negotiations over personal terms are likely to begin in the coming months, once the campaign nears its end.
Circumstances could give the 24-year-old the upper hand to set out his demands. After having signed his last contract extension, Vinicius entered the exclusive circle of players with a net salary worth above €10 million alongside Toni Kroos and David Alaba, though Kylian Mbappe smashed that barrier when he joined from PSG last summer. The same source reports that Vinicius aims to decrease the gap separating him from the Frenchman's salary with the upcoming extension.