Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr has been offered a lucrative deal in excess of $1 billion (Sh129bn) to play in Saudi Arabia, reports indicate.
Multiple publications including Reuters report that the Brazilian has been offered a five-year contract worth around 200 million euros (Sh30bn) per season to join the Saudi Pro League (SPL).
ESPN carried similar reports citing anonymous sources, further adding that the deal includes a separate 10-year contract for the 24-year-old to be the 2034 World Cup ambassador which will be hosted by the Gulf nation.
If confirmed, the move to Saudi Arabia would catapult Vinícius to a new status, making him arguably the most illustrious soccer player in the country.
Other football heavyweights Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema also ply their trade in Saudi Arabia but Vinícius would be doing so at a relatively younger age.
Last year, French striker Kylian Mbappé was rumoured to have rejected a mouth-watering a $775 million salary packet to move to Al-Hilal.
Tipped as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, Vinícius scored 24 goals and recorded 11 assists in 39 matches to help Real win the Champions League and La Liga titles.
Vinícius has been one of Real’s standout players since his 2018 move to Santiago Bernabéu from the Brazilian club, Flamengo.
The attacking midfielder is known for his flair in dribbling, through balls, key passes, finishing and precise long shots.
