Cristiano Ronaldo red-faced by Saudis as £850m transfer target to dwarf legend's salary

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr salary could be dwarfed by the contract given to Vinicius Junior if the Brazilian ditches Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has reportedly launched a speculative move for the winger.

Vinicius has been the star of Real Madrid’s team for the past few years. However, the summer arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and wonderkid countryman Endrick have placed his long-term future into some doubt.

Saudi Arabian clubs are hoping to benefit from that uncertainty with a reported mega-money move for the 24-year-old. A potential deal would make Ronaldo’s salary look miniscule.

According to ESPN, PIF are willing to pay Vinicius a basic £300million per year in a long-term deal. That figure does not include additional bonuses and would make the forward the best-paid sporting star in history.

PIF has a majority stake in four Pro League clubs – Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. It raises the possibility that Vinicius could play alongside Ronaldo for the Riyadh-based club on a much more lucrative salary.

Ronaldo, who has scored 49 goals in 47 appearances since joining Al-Nassr from Manchester United in December 2022, is widely reported to earn £177m per year.

It is reported that PIF has held talks with Real Madrid over a possible move for Vinicius. However, Los Blancos do not want to sell one of their best players and they will demand that his £850m release clause is paid in full.

Vinicius joined the Spanish giants from Flamengo in 2018 and has become a hit at the Bernabeu. He has scored 83 goals in 264 appearances and will hope to form a prolific partnership with Mbappe this season.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti will need to manage his forwards astutely this season. Vinicius and Mbappe are almost certain to start but both prefer playing on the left of the attack. Endrick and Rodrygo will also expect plenty of game time throughout the campaign.

There is no recognised centre-forward at Real, with former Newcastle and Stoke man Joselu joining Qatari club Al-Ghafara earlier this summer. The 34-year-old, who stunned Bayern Munich with two late goals in the Champions League semi-final last season, played a bit-part role in the Spanish capital.

The headline piece of business of the club’s summer was the arrival of Mbappe on a free transfer. The France captain, 25, departed Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract in his homeland, finally ending a years-long saga by joining Real.