Vinícius’s Future at Real Madrid: Commitment and Contingencies

Vinícius has consistently emphasized his dedication to Real Madrid, a sentiment echoed by club president Florentino Pérez, who is eager to retain one of the team’s pivotal players. The prevailing message from the Spanish capital is clear: Vinícius is integral to the club’s sporting ambitions. A sale would only be contemplated in the event of a substantial breakdown in negotiations, and even then, it would be under the club’s terms. Although discussions are anticipated to resume next summer, the current lack of progress has led Madrid’s leadership to consider alternative options in case an agreement cannot be reached.

Reports from Cadena SER indicate that one potential fallback could involve shifting focus towards Vitinha, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder who has long been on the radar of scouts at Valdebebas. In this scenario, Madrid would think about parting with Vinícius for no less than €100 million (£87 million), using the proceeds to pursue the Portuguese playmaker aggressively. Interest in Vitinha is not recent; he is viewed within the club as a transformative midfielder, capable of revitalizing the tempo and structure of Madrid’s midfield, which has been lacking in recent seasons.

The discussion surrounding Vitinha also aligns with a larger conversation about succession planning. The departures and aging of stalwarts such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić have created a creative gap in midfield that the club has struggled to fill. Journalist Jorge C. Picon has pointed out that while the club hierarchy acknowledges this issue, finding suitable replacements who are both effective and financially feasible has proven challenging. Consequently, Madrid has opted to explore internal solutions.

This strategy has revolved around the potential development of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler into deeper midfield roles. Despite their remarkable talent, neither player has yet delivered the control and rhythm typically expected from Madrid’s elite playmakers. Thus, the search for a genuine midfield orchestrator has resumed, with Vitinha seen as a highly suitable candidate.

However, acquiring Vitinha from Paris Saint-Germain would be a formidable task, even with funds from a theoretical sale of Vinícius. The Portugal international is contracted until 2029 and is considered a crucial part of PSG’s midfield. The relationship between the two clubs is far from cordial, and PSG would be particularly reluctant to strengthen a historical rival. Any potential transfer would likely require Vitinha himself to advocate for the move, and historical precedent suggests that PSG would not concede easily, as evidenced by their fierce legal battle over Kylian Mbappé’s unpaid wages.

At this point, Vitinha remains an appealing but realistically challenging target, one that would test both Madrid’s negotiation skills and the player’s willingness to facilitate the transfer. For now, Real Madrid is optimistic that an agreement with Vinícius can still be achieved, preserving a partnership that has significantly shaped their attacking identity in recent years. Nevertheless, the existence of a contingency plan involving Vitinha underscores the club’s commitment to proactively manage potential uncertainties. Madrid is set to return to action on January 4 against Real Betis in La Liga, followed by a Supercopa derby against Atlético Madrid five days later in Jeddah. The future of Xabi Alonso is uncertain, and another defeat to their fierce rivals could jeopardize his position at the club.