Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Denies World Record Bid for Vinicius Junior
Al Ahli, a Saudi Pro League club, has denied making a world-record offer for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. Despite persistent rumors linking the Brazilian winger to Saudi Arabia this summer, sources in the country have confirmed that no such proposal has been made.
While intermediaries may have reached out to gauge interest, there is no indication that meaningful attempts have been made to sign Vinicius Junior at this time. The Saudi footballing powers are keen to attract top-tier players to their league, but they are aware that Vinicius is not currently considering a move away from Europe.
Vini Jr, a leading contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, has been regularly linked with Saudi Arabia this summer. A €500m (£422m) bid from Al Ahli and a contract worth €1bn (£844m) over five years plus possible bonuses came in from Spain this week. Sources in Saudi Arabia denied the existence of any such proposal.
In these circumstances, it is normal for brokers to reach out and possibly communicate a base offer to gauge potential interest. However, there is no confirmation that any meaningful attempts were made in this case and there was never a hint that the Real Madrid winger was enjoying it.
Football powerhouses in Saudi Arabia have made no secret of their desire for the best players in their league, but it is understood that Vinicius Junior is not considering such a move right now.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup after not being challenged during the bidding process, and the Ministry of Tourism has approached Vinicius’ camp about the possibility of recruiting him to promote the tournament on behalf of the country. As the World Cup approaches, officials could eventually look to make a transfer offer for such ambassadors.
However, there is no offer yet and Vinicius Junior will not be moving to Saudi Arabia.
