Manchester City now favourites to sign Vinicius Junior in blockbuster January deal after Florentino Perez talks
Manchester City are the favourites to pull off a sensational move to sign Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior in January.
Chelsea and Manchester City are thought to be the frontrunners for Vinicius Jr, with the winger stalling on contract talks with Real Madrid.
The Athletic reported on Monday that the Brazil international has informed Florentino Perez that he does not intend to renew his contract while his relationship with manager Xabi Alonso remains strained.
Vinicius Jr would likely cost £80million to sign from Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants keen to make a profit on the 25-year-old, who arrived from Flamengo in 2018.
Manchester City could sell Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku to fund a move for Vinicius Jr, but Pep Guardiola would likely be reluctant to part ways with the latter given his tremendous form this season.
Manchester City lead race for Vinicius Junior
Doku has been in stunning form for Manchester City this season, with the winger rapidly emerging among the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League.
Having arrived in the summer of 2023, the 23-year-old has taken some time to get up to speed with life at the Etihad Stadium, but now looks to have found his feet.
| Vinicius Junior | La Liga 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Chances created | 29 |
| Successful dribbles | 30 |
| Fouls won | 27 |
Doku has been all but ever-present for Manchester City this season, although he would likely be forced to make way in the starting line-up should Vinicius Jr arrive.
Put simply, the Brazilian is widely regarded among the very best players in world football. For four consecutive seasons, the winger has provided over 30 goals and assists across all competitions.
And with five goals and four assists in just 13 La Liga appearances already in this campaign, the 25-year-old is well on course to do the same yet again.
At a time when Manchester City look to be falling away from Arsenal in the Premier League, with Erling Haaland doing most of the heavy lifting, a signing of such pedigree could be the difference come May.
Completing such a deal obviously comes with its difficulties; however, with any potential deal expected to easily surpass £100m when wages and agent fees are taken into account – but that has never stopped Manchester City before.
Should Vinicius Jr leave Real Madrid in the next six months, the Citizens are the favourites to sign him, according to one major bookmaker.
What Pep Guardiola said about Vinicius Jr
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid in 2023, Guardiola was complimentary of Vinicius Jr.
“Vinicius Jr sinks you every time Madrid can get the ball to him,” the Spaniard said. “He is decisive, but the team has much more.”
And just like Guardiola had predicted, it was the Brazilian who opened the scoring with a thunderous strike from outside the box.
Manchester City would have the last laugh, by equalising before seeing Real Madrid off convincingly at the Etihad Stadium in the second leg, but the Spaniard’s comments had rang true.
Now, Guardiola may finally have the chance to get his hands on the Brazilian prodigy.