Man Utd plotting shock £130m Vinicius Junior transfer swoop with Real Madrid ready to cash in on star winger to fund Kylian Mbappe deal

The Brazilian's scintillating first-half hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa final took his tally to an impressive 136 goal involvements in 241 appearances for Real. The position of left wing has been his own for many seasons, but he could soon face competition from arguably the world's greatest player in Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has long been linked with a move to Madrid and could sign on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer - although he would arrive on an eye-watering £600,000 ($760,000)-a-week wage.

That transfer, then, wouldn't quite amount to being "free", as the Frenchman's salary would amount to an annual cost of £30 million ($38m) and £150m ($190m) for the entirety of his Madrid contract. As a result, Sport reports that Los Blancos may consider the unthinkable and sell Vinicius, should an adequate offer arrive. That could come from United, who from the summer will be backed by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group after his investment gets ratified by the Premier League. They are thought to be willing to fork out £130m ($165m) for the Brazilian.

The report also points towards other potential problem that may contribute to Vinicius' exit. Competition on the left flank is one such issue, while his "controversial" nature is considered "not favourable to the club's image". It is also noted that, despite him being sidelined throughout much of the present campaign through injury, Madrid have coped just fine without him.

That said, the Brazilian is still considered one of Madrid's most important players, meaning it would take a significant bid - and the player's will to leave - for any move to go through. For United, Vinicius is just one of many thought to be targeted by the new ownership, as they also plot a summer transfer for Crystal Palace starlet Michael Olise.