Real Madrid have made an improved contract offer to Vinícius Júnior since the World Cup, sources have told ESPN, resuming talks which had been stalled for almost a year. Vinicius currently earns around €17.5 million annually as he enters the final year of his deal. Madrid have now offered Vinícius a contract worth around €22 million ($25m) a year, sources said, which is an increase on what the club had been willing to offer in negotiations over the last two seasons. However, However, the gap between Madrid's latest offer and Vinícius Júnior's demands -- around €30 million -- remains significant.
Sources told ESPN that the player and his agents believe that, at 26 years old, this will be the defining contract of Vinicius's career. The 26-year-old is believed to want recognition as Los Blancos' top star financially, especially after carrying the team for years before the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe commands a similar base take-home wage since joining Real Madrid in July 2024, earning between €15 million and €16.5 million net per season. However, the crucial financial distinction lies in Mbappe’s signing bonus (reported between €100 million and €150 million net spread over five years after arriving on a free transfer), coupled with retaining the majority of his commercial image rights. Real, however, are traditionally strict about maintaining their salary structure under president Florentino Perez, with Mbappe currently top of the club's high earners.
Vinicius returned to training on Monday after his post-World Cup holiday, undergoing medical tests and training with teammates and new coach José Mourinho. The forward is training under Jose Mourinho for the first time this week, with sources close to the Portuguese manager saying he is keen for the winger to commit his future to Real. Vinicius also wants to remain at the Bernabeu but with his contract expiring next summer, Real risk losing him on a free transfer if no agreement is reached. That has increased the urgency for the club to resolve his future before the end of the transfer window, with talks set to resume in earnest in the next few days.