Saudi Soccer’s Jackpot Bid: Al-Ahli Pushes to Sign Vinícius Jr from Real Madrid
10 October 2025
Breaking Direct Negotiations: Al-Ahli Eyes Vinícius Jr
Al-Ahli Jeddah’s management has entered direct negotiations to sign Brazilian Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid’s star, ahead of the upcoming winter transfer window.
According to sources, Al-Ahli has engaged seriously with Real Madrid to secure Vinícius for about 300 million pounds, aiming to seal the deal officially.
Real Madrid would reportedly need to sell Vinícius in the next summer window if the Brazilian winger rejects the Saudi offer.
Vinícius joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Flamengo, and his market value is around €200 million, according to Transfermarkt, with a contract running through summer 2027.
Earlier reports noted renewal talks hit a snag after Vinícius, now 25, requested a yearly salary of €20 million, a 5-million increase on his 2022 contract signed later in 2023.
There were claims from The Sun that Saudi interests contemplated a global record bid last summer, potentially surpassing all previous transfer records.
The report said the Saudi bid could reach about €350 million, eclipsing Neymar’s €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
Direct talks were said to involve Vinícius’s close circle, with Al-Ahli identified as the main club, while Al Hilal was linked to other targets such as Mohamed Salah.
October presents tough tests for Al-Ahli, coached by German Matías Jaissle, across the Saudi Pro League, the AFC Champions League 2025-26, and the King Cup.
The team is set to face Al-Shabab on Oct 17 in the league, hoping to snap a run of draws with Al Ettifaq and Al Hilal, and then meet Al-Najma on Oct 23. They will close October hosting Al-Riyadh in the league and then square off in the domestic cup.
Al-Ahli currently sits seventh with eight points from two wins and two draws.
On the continental front, Al-Ahli will host Al-Gharafa of Qatar on Oct 20 in the AFC Champions League group stage, with the defending champions currently on four points after beating Nasaf and drawing with Duhail.
Public pressure on the coach has grown after a string of negative results, including a heavy loss to Pyramids FC in a recent competition, prompting calls for changes at the technical helm similar to neighbor Ittihad’s decision to replace its coach with Sergio Conceição.
In response to the need for a long-term sporting project, Al-Ahli announced the appointment of Rui Pedro Baraz as sporting director earlier in the month, part of a broader plan to build a sustainable structure for 2025-2026 and beyond.
Baraz said he is honored to join the club and will work with all departments to lay firm foundations for success domestically, continentally, and globally.
Sniper punchline 1: If this deal lands, Real Madrid might finally need a bigger trophy cabinet—one for the rumors that turned real.
Sniper punchline 2: And if Vinícius stays, Madrid will need a bigger radar to catch all the headlines—because the transfer window just got a big upgrade to 4D.
