Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Vinicius Junior rejects €1bn Saudi offer, Spanish ace wants to leave Los Blancos, and more - August 14, 2024
Real Madrid travel to the National Stadium Warsaw on Wednesday, August 14, to face Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup. Carlo Ancelotti will be aiming to start the new season with a bang by getting the better of the Serie A side.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has rejected one of the biggest football contracts in the world in favor of staying with Los Blancos. Elsewhere, a Spanish midfielder has informed the La Liga champions that he wants to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from August 14, 2024.
Vinicius Junior rejects €1bn Saudi offer
Vinicius Junior has turned down a colossal offer to move to the Middle East this summer, according to journalist Jose Felix Diaz. Recent reports have suggested that Saudi Arabian clubs are hot on the heels of the Brazilian this summer.
Vinicius Junior has established himself as one of the finest players of his generation at Real Madrid. The 24-year-old was in superb form for Los Blancos last season, scoring 24 goals and setting up 11 more from 39 games across competitions.
The Brazilian is now the frontrunner in this year's Ballon d'Or race, and a win will further cement his rising stature in world football. Understandably, he has admirers in the Middle East and recent reports have suggested that his camp isn't entirely averse to the move.
The Brazilian has apparently received a record €1bn contract to join Saudi side Al Ahli, as part of a five-year deal. However, the player has reportedly turned it down, as he remains committed to the La Liga champions.
Vinicius is gearing up to share the pitch with Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid in the upcoming campaign and wants to create history at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos also have no desire to let him go and they have also rejected a mammoth offer for the player.
Dani Ceballos wants to leave Real Madrid
Dani Ceballos has informed Real Madrid that he wants to leave this summer, according to The Athletic. The Spanish midfielder has been a peripheral figure at the Santiago Bernabeu of late and is understandably frustrated by the situation.
Ceballos appeared 27 times across competitions last season, with only eight being starts. Even though Toni Kroos has retired, the 28-year-old's situation isn't expected to improve in the upcoming campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti is spoilt for choice in the middle of the park and can afford to let Ceballos leave. The player has already informed Los Blancos of his desire to pursue regular football this summer.
However, Real Madrid are yet to receive an offer for the Spaniard so far. Ceballos was previously on Atletico Madrid's radar, but Los Rojiblancos are all set to welcome Conor Gallagher from Chelsea.
The Spaniard is wanted at his former club Real Betis, but they do not have the finances to script a deal. Unless Los Blancos receive a proper offer for the Spaniard, he could end up staying at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos set Aymeric Laporte condition
Real Madrid have set two conditions to sign Aymeric Laporte this summer, according to AS. Los Blancos remain linked with the Spanish defender this summer, with the player ready to leave Saudi Arabia to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Although Carlo Ancelotti apparently wants to sign a new defender this year, the club are not too keen. The La Liga champions tasted defeat in their attempts to sign Leny Yoro, who left Lille last month to join Manchester United.
The Italian manager has already lost Nacho Fernandez this summer and David Alaba is yet to return to full fitness. Ancelotti has identified Laporte as a possible solution to the situation. The 30-year-old plies his trade in the Middle East with Al Nassr and recently won Euro 2024 with La Roja.
However, Real Madrid need two conditions to be fulfilled if the player is to move to Santiago Bernabeu this year. First, he must be available for free, and second, he must be willing to take a pay cut.