Real Madrid to sell Vinicius Jr? Another failed contract extension talk, Xabi's squad rotation sending the wrong message?

Brazilian winger Vinicius Júnior and Real Madrid came very close to agreeing on a contract extension but the talks broke off once again at the last moment, a Spanish media report said.

The very recent sit-down between Vini Jr's camp and his club happened after the Club World Cup with Xabi Alonso in charge. During the talks held in Madrid, the 25-year-old Brazilian significantly lowered his initial financial demands to agree to a renewal with Los Blancos, a news report said, quoting inside sources.

FULL STORY | Real Madrid tell Vinicius Jr to quit dreaming of earning more than Kylian Mbappe after contract extension: Report

Vinicius Jr contract extension: The story so far

It was reported in July that Vini Jr categorically told Real Madrid that he wanted to be the highest-earning member of the squad. The talks reached nowhere as the winger wanted the team to pay him around €30 million, including a renewal bonus in the new deal. While Real Madrid were open to offering him a considerable increase from his current salary, which is around €10 million net per season, they were not willing to give him more than Mbappé's €15 million. It was reported that Real made it clear to Vini that he will not get such a pay rise, which caused the talks to stall.

His current deal runs out in 2027 and the Brazilian was hopeful that he could negotiate in such a way that Real would fear him walking off as a free agent. With not long left in his current deal, they would cave in and accept his demands, Vini would have thought. But there was no panic and the club simply suspended the talks, promising him a sit-down later.

Will Vinicius Jr leave Real Madrid?

Over the months, Vinicius' form became more questionable and he decided to compromise on his demands, AS said in a report. His new position was in the range of what the European giants were willing to offer him. However, just when everything looked perfect for the much-awaited renewal, something fell off, resulting in another collapse, AS said. "...everything was finally very close to being finalised, with positions almost coinciding, until everything came to a standstill in that last meeting, just when it seemed that the signing was imminent, now following the arrival of the Tolosa-born coach (Xabi Alonso) and the Club World Cup," the report said.

Xabi Alonso heavily rotates Vini and his international teammate Rodrygo Goes, who was said to be more unsettled at Bernabéu. While Vini has delivered whenever he was called into action, his untouchable status is said to be taken away and having to fight for a place in the starting lineup could hurt his chances of finding affluent bidders if he decides to leave the Spanish capital. 

According to the Spanish news report, considering his current form and the way the team is able to perform without him, Real Madrid are thinking hard whether they should provide another big-money contract to Vini for five years or more. This doesn't mean the club wants to get rid of Vini but there are chances of him considering a switch if a highly lucrative offer comes in January. A move to Saudi seems highly unlikely as Vinicius still carries Ballon d'Or dreams and he is hell-bent on competing at the highest level to keep his hopes of winning it alive.

Across all competitions, including La Liga and the Champions League, the Brazilian winger has accumulated an impressive tally of over 90 goals and 70 assists in more than 270 appearances.