Man Utd ‘reserve’ shirt number for €150m Real Madrid star but Chelsea fight for ‘astronomical’ deal

According to reports, Man Utd and Chelsea are battling Ligue 1 giants PSG in the race to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world over the past couple of years.

He has been in stunning form this season as he has grabbed 23 goals and 21 assists in 54 games for Real Madrid. This includes seven goals and five assists in 12 outings in the Champions League.

Vinicius has been the victim of abhorrent racist abuse at times this season and this occurred during Real Madrid’s away game at Valencia earlier this month.

The game was paused after Vinicius was abused by Valencia supporters in the stands. He was later harshly sent off for violent conduct following his altercation with striker Hugo Duro.

The Brazil international has since hit out at La Liga as “racism is normal” in the Spanish top division.

“It wasn’t the first time, not the second and not the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,” Vinicius said via Instagram.

“The competition thinks it’s normal, so does the Federation and the opponents encourage it. I am so sorry.

“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi, today belongs to the racists.”

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This has fuelled talk that Vinicius could look to leave La Liga this summer. Spanish outlet Nacional are reporting that he has ‘received astronomical offers’ and he ‘must decide whether to negotiate or close the door’ on his time at Real Madrid.

The player needs to consider if he wants ‘to another country where he does not have to endure this type of hate campaigns’.

Vinicius is under contract until 2024 and there is currently ‘no agreement to renew’. ‘Three admirers’ are reportedly willing to sign him.

He is a ‘priority’ target for PSG as ‘Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to take revenge on Madrid for the negotiations they had with Kylian Mbappe’ and he is considered an ideal replacement for Lionel Messi.

The attacker is also a priority for Man Utd and they will ‘try to convince him’ to sign for them. ‘They have reserved the number 7 that Cristiano Ronaldo left free’ and he could ‘become the successor’ to the Portugal star.

Chelsea are the third club interested in Vinicius and they are all ‘willing to offer 150 million euros’ to snatch him away from Real Madrid.

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