Sources: Man City and Chelsea ‘frontrunners’ to sign Vinicius Junior
Manchester City and Chelsea will be two of the frontrunners in the race for Vinicius Junior if he becomes available, sources have told Football Insider.
Contract talks between Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid have stalled in recent weeks after the winger fell out with boss Xabi Alonso.
The Brazilian’s current deal expires in 2027, but he could now be set to leave Madrid this summer, and his situation has caught the attention of Premier League sides.
Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with Vinicius Jr in the past, but sources say that Man City and Chelsea are the two English clubs that have the spending power to get a deal over the line.
Vinicius Junior would still command huge fee
On Tuesday (25 November), Football Insider revealed that Vinicius Junior would still command a fee of £80million in the summer transfer window, despite the fact that he would only have a year left on his contract at that point.
The Spanish giants had offered the 25-year-old a new deal and both parties were working to iron out issues over wage demands.
However, Vinicius Jr’s recent bust-up with Alonso has changed the situation, with the attacker now informing the club that he does not wish to renew his contract beyond June 2027.
If Real Madrid cannot convince the Brazilian to change his mind, then they may decide to offload him next summer, rather than lose him for free a year later.
Man City and Chelsea would be joined by a number of Saudi Pro League clubs in the race for Vinicius Jr if Madrid let him go at the end of this season.
Man City and Chelsea race for another star winger
Meanwhile, Man City have registered a concrete interest in Koln starlet Said El Mala, joining a number of Premier League clubs in the race for the forward.
The 19-year-old has been a breakout star with FC Koln in the Bundesliga this season, with his performances attracting attention from some of England’s biggest sides.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Chelsea were keeping tabs on El Mala after his strong start to the campaign, along with the likes of Liverpool and Man United.
Sources say that Man City have now also joined the race for his services after sending scouts to watch him in the flesh.
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