Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior lined up for world-record £296m bid from Saudi Pro League clubs - Paper Round
Published 24/01/2025 at 08:21 GMT
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has been linked with a shock move to Saudi Arabia, with Al Ahli and Al Nassr reportedly ready to break the world record to land the Brazilian. Elsewhere, Chelsea are readying a bid for Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, while Marcus Rashford is prepared to stay at Old Trafford until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell could be in line for a move.
Highlights: Mbappe and Vinicius Junior strike as Real Madrid seal vital three points
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Saudi Pro League clubs want Vinicius
Real Madrid are bracing themselves for a huge bid for Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, claims a report in The Sun.
Saudi Pro League clubs Al Ahli and Al Nassr are reportedly ready to test Los Blancos’ resistance with a £296 million bid this summer.
"Vinicius Jr is reportedly being lined up for a world-record £296 million move to Saudi Arabia after his Ballon d’Or snub," reads the report.
"The Real Madrid superstar, 24, has emerged as a target for three Middle Eastern giants amid doubts over his long-term future at the Bernabeu.
"Give Me Sport claims Vini could soon end up leaving them for pastures new.
"It’s reckoned Saudi pay masters are ready to spend £296m on Vinicius Jr this summer, with Al Ahli the most likely destination.
"Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, and Al Hilal – who reportedly want to replace Neymar with Liverpool’s Mo Salah – have also shown interest.
"Real have no intention of selling Vinicius Jr, even though his exit would allow struggling Kylian Mbappe to play off his favoured left-hand side.
"And the Brazilian will have a big decision to make if a Saudi bid does emerge for him at the end of the season."
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'A superb individual goal' - Vinicius Jr feeds off 'exquisite' Modric pass to put Real 4-0 up
Video credit: TNT Sports
Chelsea stepping up interest in Garnacho
Chelsea are working on a deal to bring Alejandro Garnacho to Stamford Bridge, claims the Daily Mail.
The Blues may have to pay Manchester United £65m to persuade Ruben Amorim's side to sell the Argentina international.
"Chelsea are putting forward a formal offer for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho," reads the article.
"The Stamford Bridge club made their opening enquiries last week with United looking for £65 million for the 20-year-old.
"Garnacho's agents Carlos Cambeiro and Quique de Lucas were at Chelsea's game with Wolves on Monday and are open to their client making the move to London.
"As he qualifies as homegrown, Garnacho's sale would give United clear profit and greater room for manoeuvre under PSR guidelines, especially as they face the prospect of not qualifying for the Champions League, this summer.
"Chelsea recognise an offer around £60m including add-ons could get the deal done with Garnacho willing to make the move.
"His representatives had not been asking for huge wages from United following his emergence as a key performer over the past 18 months so his desired terms will still fall in line with Chelsea's pay structure."
Chilwell could make Dortmund move
Borussia Dortmund want to offer Ben Chilwell an escape route from Chelsea.
The Sun claims the Bundesliga side are ready to take Chilwell on loan.
The full-back has yet to make a league appearance for The Blues under Enzo Maresca.
"Ben Chilwell could be offered an escape route from Chelsea by Borussia Dortmund," states the article.
"The German giants are looking for alternatives after missing out on Chilwell’s team-mate Renato Veiga.
"Veiga was being targeted by the Bundesliga club but has opted for Italians Juventus instead on a deal until the end of the season.
"And that has thrown up a way out of Stamford Bridge for Chilwell, 28, who has been told he has no future at Chelsea by boss Enzo Maresca.
"Chilwell’s wages of around £190k a week are an obstacle to him leaving this month whether on loan or permanently.
"But Chelsea may end up having to subsidise his wages as they are doing with Raheem Sterling who is currently with London rivals Arsenal.
"Sources say he would prefer to stay in England and in the Premier League.
"But the possibility of a move to last season’s Champions League finalists could be tempting."
Rashford prepared to stay at Man Utd until end of season
Marcus Rashford is prepared to stay at Manchester United until the end of the season, according to the Guardian.
Rashford revealed he was "ready for a new challenge" in December after he was omitted from the squad for the 2-1 win at Manchester City.
He has been linked with a host of clubs, including AC Milan and Barcelona. But the 27-year-old may have to remain patient in order to move from Old Trafford.
"Marcus Rashford accepts he may have to stay at Manchester United for the rest of the season after failing to secure a move in the first three-and-a-half weeks of the transfer window," writes the outlet.
"Eleven full days of the window remain and the forward is intent on making himself available for as long as he is at the club.
"Rashford decided against a permanent transfer to Saudi Arabia, where several clubs were interested, and other options have been explored. A loan deal to Borussia Dortmund has stalled owing to the potential cost. United want Dortmund to pay a proportion of Rashford’s £365,000-a-week wage. Dortmund also have Jamie Gittens, who plays in Rashford’s preferred left-wing position.
"A loan to Milan proved unworkable because they are signing Kyle Walker from Manchester City until the end of the season. Milan were able [to] recruit only one British player in the window under a rule relating to Brexit. Barcelona reportedly retain an interest in the 27-year-old but their financial strictures make a deal particularly difficult and they would have to make sales first."
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