Saudi plot new €800m Vini Junior raid: Secret weapon revealed

The Saudi Pro League is not giving up on signing Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, with a staggering bid worth close to €1 billion being lined up for the Brazil international, according to a report.

Vini Jr has long been linked with a move to Saudi, with the big-spending Gulf league ready to smash the world transfer record by putting in a bid of €300 million for the attacker, who could still move to Al-Hilal in the summer.

But hopes of signing the 24-year-old seemed to have been blocked last week as it was announced that the player would sign a new contract at Real Madrid – something Vini’s entourage strongly denied.

And according to an astonishing report from SportsZone, Vinicius Jr could still head to Saudi, where he is being targeted as Neymar’s replacement at Al-Hilal.

It claims that a total package of €800 million has been put to one side for the superstar. This includes transfer fee, salary and bonuses. But that is not all.

Al-Hilal use Ancelotti as bait

Carlo Ancelotti is ready to be installed as Al-Hilal head coach as an additional incentive for Vini to make the move.

Ancelotti appears certain to leave Real Madrid in the summer after a disappointing campaign. He had been associated with the Brazil national team job but those talks have broken down, leaving him at something of a loose end.

Links to the Saudi Pro League have quickly emerged and it is believed that the Italian’s presence could entice Vinicius Junior to follow.

Ancelotti has consistently spoken in the highest terms of the Brazilian, stating in December: “We talk a lot about Vinicius. He continues to be the best player in the world for us. He has a humility that is rare for a player at this level.”

The veteran coach has also had to address transfer speculation linking Vini Jr to Saudi Arabia.

Asked if Real Madrid would accept a bid from Al-Hilal, he replied: “You’d have to ask him.

“I see a happy player here, who is making history and who wants to continue making history.”

The relationship between Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior has been strained over the rumours linking the Brazil star to Al-Hilal, and these appear unlikely to be resolved until he either signs a new contract or departs.