Real Madrid to market Vinicius if no deal by next summer

Real Madrid's long-term plans for forward Vinicius Junior have been thrown into doubt after contract talks stalled, leaving the 25-year-old Brazil international's future at the club uncertain and attracting close attention from several top European teams. Club officials have told the player that if a new deal is not signed by next summer, when he would enter the final 12 months of his contract, Real Madrid intends to place him on the market rather than risk losing him for nothing the following year.

Vinicius, who joined Real Madrid in 2018 and has since made more than 300 appearances while winning two Champions League titles, is understood to be seeking a pay package that would bring him close to the club's top earners. Real Madrid proposed a contract with a base around 20 million euros per year, with bonuses that could lift the total toward 30 million, but negotiations have stalled because the club is unwilling to meet the higher figure the player’s camp has pushed for.

People close to the talks say the impasse is as much about sporting role as money. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Vinicius has started most early-season fixtures but has not consistently completed matches, a...