Vinicius Jr's eye-watering wage demands at Real Madrid revealed as Brazilian superstar demands to be highest-paid player in squad ahead of Kylian Mbappe

Vinicius is frustrated with the unfounded assumptions that an agreement was imminent and is now signalling that the matter is not even up for discussion right now. He believes his contributions warrant a much higher figure and has stated that accepting the €20 million (£17.5m/$23m) annual salary proposal would not be in line with his market value, as revealed by journalist Toño García during a segment on El Larguero.  

Sources close to Vinicius say he is looking to earn over €25m (£22m/$29m) net per season. His stance is not based on internal comparisons with teammates, especially with Kylian Mbappe, but rather a reflection of what he believes his status and impact deserve. He is not seeking special treatment but simply wishes to be compensated fairly for his role as one of the club’s most important players.   

In anticipation of a possible departure, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is already laying the groundwork for a contingency plan. According to Cadena SER, Perez has set his sights on Manchester City star Erling Haaland as the ideal replacement should Vinicius depart. He dreams of a formidable frontline featuring Haaland alongside another Galactico, Mbappe. While signing the Norwegian striker would require a massive outlay, Madrid’s leadership sees it as a necessary move if they lose one of their most marketable and effective players. 

Any chance of a contract breakthrough appears unlikely soon. Both sides have reportedly agreed to pause negotiations entirely until at least 2026. While there is optimism that the situation could be revisited more productively in the future, a significant gap remains between the club’s offer and Vinicius' expectations. For now, he remains a central figure in Madrid’s plans, but with tension bubbling beneath the surface, the coming season will be decisive.