Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr. is reportedly in talks with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but would prefer staying put at Real Madrid.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their efforts to sign Vinicius Junior. The two European giants have intensified discussions to secure the services of the Brazilian forward, who is open to staying put at Real Madrid.
Vinicius Jr. joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in July 2018 and has since come leaps and bounds. The 21-year-old was initially assigned to the Castilla side but was fast-tracked to the first team in his maiden campaign at the club. In the last three years, the youngster has gone from a boisterous winger with poor finishing to an all-round performer.
The ongoing campaign has been extremely memorable for the Brazilian forward, who has amassed 12 goals and nine assists in 25 appearances across all competitions. Vinicius’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several European bigwigs, including Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain setting their sights on the Real Madrid forward.
The interest from Manchester United is a tad-bit surprising. While the Red Devils have faltered this season, they still have a loaded attacking unit consisting of experienced stalwarts like Cristiano Ronald, Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani, and promising youngsters like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.
So, with so many options at Ralf Rangnick’s disposal, it is hard to see where Vinicius would fit in the scheme of things despite his irresistible form for Real Madrid this season. On the other hand, PSG could do with someone like the Brazilian forward.
Recent reports have claimed that the Ligue 1 heavyweights have already contacted Vinicius over a possible summer move. The eagerness to sign the Real Madrid star is justified, as Angel Di Maria is approaching the final phase of his career while Kylian Mbappe will likely join Real Madrid next year.
So, Vinicius could be a long-term replacement for either of the two PSG superstars, making him a viable target. According to El Nacional, Manchester United and PSG have stepped up talks to sign the 21-year-old. However, Vinicius prefers staying put at Real Madrid, although he will be seeking a bumper contract to extend his spell with the club. It remains to be seen if he is offered such a deal.
