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Carlo Ancelotti responds to Vinicius Jr speculation

Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed the possibility of of Vinicius Junior joining a Saudi Arabian club this summer. 

Reports have claimed that Saudi Pro League bosses are willing to pay the Brazilian €1billion to tempt him away from Real Madrid.

However, Ancelotti says it is nothing more than pure speculation,

'I can guarantee that there's nothing to it,' said in a press conference ahead of the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday. 

'There's just speculation, at this time in the [transfer] market, which closes on Aug. 31. There's just speculation, nothing else.'

'Of course speculation doesn't affect [Vinícius],' Ancelotti said. 'He's here, he wants to be here. He wants to do his best and help Real Madrid.'

'No, absolutely not,' Ancelotti said. 'We have our project and we continue in that. We have a squad of great quality... We've lost important players and we've brought in others who have to adapt. We have to work to maintain the atmosphere, and the commitment, which was the key last year.' 

Vinicius has been a Madrid player for six seasons, since joining from Flamengo in 2018.

The 24-year-old has scored 83 goals in 264 games for Los Blancos and won 12 trophies, including two UEFA Champions League crowns.

According to ge.globo.com, a proposal from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for Vinicius to join Al-Ahli has been verbally delivered to the player's representatives.

The offer is said to be worth €1bn over five years - with the proposed annual salary 13 times higher than Vinicius is currently earning at the Bernabeu.

It is also claimed that Vinicius would be given the freedom to decide whether or not he wanted to stay in Saudi Arabia for the full duration of his contract.

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest paid player in Saudi Arabia - and world football - with Al Nassr, who are also owned by the PIF, paying him around €200m per year.

However, Ronaldo's contract is not as long - and therefore not worth as much - as the one apparently being offered to Vinicius.

Vinicius is under contract with his current club for another three years, so Al-Ahli would need to agree a deal with Madrid as well as with the player.

That would likely double the overall cost as the report claims that Madrid will demand a transfer fee of €1bn. 

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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