Real Madrid are considering selling Vinicius Jr. due to a contract standoff over salary demands, which could pave the way for Rodrygo to remain at the club. The club’s wage structure and transfer spending make it a delicate situation, with decisions expected soon.
Tensions are rising at Real Madrid as Vinicius Jr. demands a significant pay raise, with the club now considering selling the Brazilian star to avoid a wage structure crisis, potentially benefiting teammate Rodrygo.
Vinicius Jr.’s ongoing contract standoff with Real Madrid has taken a new turn, as the Brazilian forward is pushing for a massive pay increase and a renewal bonus that exceeds the club’s wage ceiling. His demand comes after the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, whose lucrative signing bonus has reportedly become a benchmark for Vinicius in his contract negotiations.
This situation has created a dilemma at Valdebebas as club president Florentino Perez fears that meeting Vinicius’ demands could set a dangerous precedent, prompting other high-profile players to request similar deals. The issue is further complicated by the club’s recent heavy spending on transfers, forcing them to consider the possibility of selling either Vinicius Jr. or Rodrygo.
While Rodrygo has been linked with a move away from Madrid, it seems he could benefit from Vinicius’ contract struggles. Reports indicate that Rodrygo‘s exit could be blocked if the situation with Vinicius isn’t resolved amicably. If the 25-year-old Vinicius continues to push for higher wages, Madrid may decide to part ways with him instead of Rodrygo, especially as his form has dipped in recent months.
Rodrygo, who still has a longer contract with Madrid than Vinicius, is reportedly valued at €100 million (£86.6m/$116m), and his potential exit could be halted if Vinicius is sold instead. This could provide an opportunity for Rodrygo to secure more minutes on the pitch, particularly as new head coach Xabi Alonso evaluates his squad.
With the arrival of Mbappe, Real Madrid’s wage structure has come under scrutiny. The club has already spent heavily in recent transfer windows, and Perez is hesitant to meet Vinicius’ salary demands, fearing it would upset the balance within the squad. If a compromise isn’t reached with the 25-year-old, Real Madrid may look to offload one of their Brazilian stars to recoup funds and keep the wage structure intact.
While Rodrygo remains a key player in Madrid’s long-term plans, it’s clear that Vinicius may be the more likely departure if tensions escalate. If the situation is resolved, however, it could provide Rodrygo with a more prominent role at the club.
With only two years remaining on Vinicius Jr.’s contract, Real Madrid will need to act quickly to resolve the contract dispute. If they cannot come to terms with the forward, his future at the club could be uncertain. As for Rodrygo, while his future appears to be under scrutiny, it seems unlikely that he will leave unless there’s a drastic shift in the club’s plans.
