Real Madrid earmark Erling Haaland as Vinicius Junior replacement with Los Blancos making Man City star priority target if Brazilian departs for Saudi Arabia

Marca reported last month that Vinicius Junior's status at Madrid has changed since Xabi Alonso took charge of the club this summer. The manager has kept his performance under scrutiny and not shied away from benching him in a couple of games this season and has suggested the winger is not guaranteed to start in every game. While the Brazilian has rebelled against this and communicated his dislike of the situation to president Florentino Perez, he understands that the only way to turn the fortune is to bring back his old form.

His agent Frederico Pena even held a meeting with the CEO and the second in command at Madrid, Jose Angel Sanchez, to discuss his contractual situation. Although the forward has two more seasons left on his current deal, an extension was almost put in place six months ago. However, the 25-year-old's wage demands forced the club to halt the developments during the Club World Cup and his agent has been informed that the club will remain firm on their last offer.

Officials of the Saudi Pro League have been in touch with Vinicius Junior for almost two years now, and they have reportedly offered him a massive contract to lure him to the Middle East. So far, the Brazil international has not committed to the SPL officials, as he wants to continue playing for Los Blancos and build a legacy in the Spanish capital. However, if the club does not consider his wage demands, which are similar to what Kylian Mbappe earns, in the renewed contract by next summer, he might be forced to explore new opportunities, including joining Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi league. 

According to Caughtoffside, Madrid have already started to plan for the next summer transfer window, as they look to make some key changes in the squad, including signing a new midfielder and a centre-back. They already have their eyes on Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, amid rumours that Antonio Rudiger could exit the club as he is yet to sign a new contract. The La Liga giants will also look to sell Vinicius Jr for a massive fee of €250million (£217m/$290.5m) if he does not put pen to paper on their new contract. In case the Brazil star does exit Santiago Bernabeu, Florentino Perez will go after Manchester City star Haaland, who continues to remain the club's priority.

Madrid have been interested in the Norwegian goal machines since his days at Borussia Dortmund. The club would go all out for Haaland, although the City star would only accept an offer if Vinicius Jr leaves as there is not way the trio of Haaland, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe fit in Xabi Alonso's side. 

At the start of the current calendar year, Haaland shocked everyone by penning a 10-year-long contract extension at Manchester City, which will keep him at Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034. Record-setting terms were put in place, with the Norway international committing to the former Premier League champions on a long-term basis. The new deal also saw Haaland's wages being increased as the striker has been earning a reported figure of £400,000-a-week since signing the contract extension.

However, the Caughtoffisde report claims that despite Haaland's long-running contract, officials at Santiago Bernabeu feel that the striker can still be signed. Barcelona are also keen on signing the 25-year-old, as their president Joan Laporta is reportedly obsessed with the striker ever since he assumed his office at the Catalan club.