Reports indicate that Real Madrid’s decision to acquiesce to Vinicius Junior’s contract demands may thwart attempts to secure Jurgen Klopp as their next manager. The club recently parted ways with Xabi Alonso following a defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, subsequently appointing Alvaro Arbeloa amidst whispers of player dissatisfaction with Alonso’s strategies.
Rumours swirl that Arbeloa’s tenure might be temporary, with Klopp, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, and Benfica’s Jose Mourinho all scrutinised as potential successors. Sources from Spain suggest Klopp’s stipulations for joining the Bernabéu giants include ensuring Vinicius Junior’s departure in the upcoming summer transfer window.
A report elaborates that Klopp’s agreement hinges on the assurance that both Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé will not share the dressing room next season. It’s not a critique of talent, but a strategic directive concerning defensive coherence and spatial governance. Klopp is said to envisage a scenario wherein the simultaneous presence of Vinicius and Mbappé would disjoint the team and obscure its identity, as both require prominence from the left flank and reportedly lack defensive contribution.
Insider whispers reveal that within this tactical framework, Mbappé’s continuity isn’t subject to debate, casting Vinicius as the likely candidate for transfer if a choice is necessitated.
Conversely, a separate Spanish report reveals Real Madrid’s contemplations for a volte-face concerning Vinicius Junior’s contract. Initially standing as a ‘main obstacle’ was his grand €30m annual wage demand, levelling him with Mbappé. Yet, mindful of the Brazilian forward’s suitors, Madrid are allegedly reassessing their stance with a revised offer for the 25-year-old.
Presided by Florentino Pérez, this proposal includes an adjustable salary structure: a base of €20 million complemented by performance and achievement-related bonuses which could raise his compensation to the desired sum. This would come through a blend of attainable benchmarks like match appearances and goal statistics, alongside more challenging objectives.
In associated speculation, Arsenal and Manchester City appear poised for confrontation, amidst murmurings dismissing Gary Neville’s conspiracy theories.