RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesMADRID, SPAIN - MAY 14: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Oviedo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 14, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window continues to gather momentum, with two of the club’s biggest storylines appearing to move in a positive direction. According to AS, Vinicius Junior remains fully committed to extending his stay at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Real Madrid is on the verge of completing the blockbuster signing of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Despite growing interest from Europe’s elite clubs, the report states that both Vinicius and Real Madrid still share the same priority: reaching an agreement on a new contract.
The Brazilian enters the final year of his current deal, naturally attracting attention across the continent. Arsenal are the latest club to explore the possibility of signing him, with The Athletic reporting that the Premier League side has begun preliminary exploratory contacts. Liverpool have also previously been linked with a potential move should Vinicius eventually become available as a free agent in 2027.
However, AS reports that the player has no desire to leave Madrid and instead intends to resume renewal negotiations when he returns from vacation next week.
Before committing to a new deal, Vinicius reportedly wants to discuss his role in José Mourinho’s new project directly with the club’s leadership while also ensuring that his salary accurately reflects his standing among the world’s elite players. Mourinho is also said to consider Vinicius a cornerstone of his plans and wants to build an attack featuring the Brazilian alongside Kylian Mbappé and incoming winger Yan Diomande, with Jude Bellingham operating behind them.
According to the report, negotiations between Real Madrid and Vinicius had previously progressed significantly before stalling following the Club World Cup. Both sides had reportedly narrowed the financial gap considerably, but neither was willing to make the final concession required to complete an agreement.
AS reports that Vinicius is now seeking a salary of around €20 million net per season. His current contract, signed in 2022 and officially announced in 2023, is structured progressively, beginning at roughly €10 million net annually and rising to approximately €18 million this season. The agreement also included performance-related bonuses, including an additional €2 million linked to winning FIFA’s The Best award.
The report adds that Vinicius has privately felt underappreciated amid Real Madrid’s pursuit of other attacking stars over the past two years, including previous interest in Julián Álvarez and Michael Olise, while the arrivals of Bellingham and Mbappé inevitably shifted attention away from him. Even so, the Brazilian reportedly remains determined to continue leading the club’s attack and is willing to facilitate a renewal agreement.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid appear to be closing in on another marquee addition.
According to AS, negotiations with RB Leipzig for Yan Diomande have reached their final stages, with the overall package expected to fall between €115 million and €120 million. The report states that personal terms have already been fully agreed, leaving only the final administrative details between the two clubs before the transfer can be completed.
One notable connection between the two stories is Diomande’s representation. The Ivorian is managed by the same agency as Vinicius, led by agent Frederico Pena, a fact that fueled speculation about the Brazilian’s future after news of the transfer emerged. However, AS insists the shared representation has no bearing on Vinicius’ intentions, reiterating that both player and club remain focused on extending his contract.
The report suggests the deal is progressing so quickly that Real Madrid could officially announce Diomande as early as Monday, potentially allowing him to skip reporting for RB Leipzig’s preseason preparations.
If completed, Diomande would become Real Madrid’s fifth player signing of the summer and the latest major addition to Mourinho’s squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
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