Vinicius Junior in line for Al-Ahli contract that would make Real Madrid star highest-paid athlete in the world

Talk of interest from the Middle East was first covered by The Athletic, with the Brazil international said to have ruled out a move away from Santiago Bernabeu being made at this stage. GOAL has, however, discovered that an audacious approach has not been knocked back and talks are set to take place.

Al-Ahli, who already have ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino on their books, are understood to be the side piecing together a remarkable €1 billion (£854m/$1.1bn) package. The largest contract ever seen in professional sport is supposedly being readied for Vinicius.

The South American’s representatives have made it clear to Al-Ahli that it would take a record-breaking transfer fee and personal terms in order to do a deal. Those in Saudi will not have to meet a €1bn release clause in Vinicius’ contract, but will have to part with at least €300m (£256m/$328m) in order to complete a marquee signing and top Paris Saint-Germain’s stunning €222m (£190m/$243m) acquisition of Neymar in 2017.

Al-Ahli are prepared to put a package in place that would see Vinicius earn over €1bn across a long-term contract. Said terms, which still need to be formalised and officially presented, would see the 24-year-old eclipse Al-Nassr icon Cristiano Ronaldo and Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi when it comes to earning power, while also moving above MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani – who penned a $700m (£547m) agreement with the LA Dodgers in December 2023.