Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has released a statement amid claims he could be leaving the Bernabéu due to links between Man United and Chelsea.
The Brazilian superstar hasn’t made much of an impact for Real Madrid this season, but he has a decent attacking record with five goals and four assists in 13 competitive games.
Xabi Alonso has a wealth of attacking options and while Vinicius started on the bench in his first game back after the October international break against Getafe, Vinicius has started and failed to contribute in the last two games, against Juventus in midweek and in Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.
The Brazil international was so upset after being sent off in the 72nd minute of a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Barça that the Real Madrid star came to greet him as he was leaving, shouting at Alonso: “Me? Me? Gaffer, gaffer! Me?”
Vinicius has often failed to complete a game under Alonso this season, and Spanish television cameras have shown him rushing into the tunnel and shouting: “I’m always the one who leaves the team. I’m the one who leaves the team, I better quit now.”
The Brazilian managed to re-emerge from the tunnel and play full-time against Lamine Yamal, despite a scuffle on the pitch involving players and staff from both teams.
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Vinicius issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon apologizing for his actions in El Clasico, saying: “Today I would like to apologize to all Madrid players for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clasico.
“I would like to apologize again to my teammates, the club and the president, just as I have already apologized directly during training today.
“Passion sometimes gets the better of me because I always want to win and help the team. My competitive nature comes from my love for this club and everything it stands for.”
“I promise to continue to fight every second for the interests of Real Madrid, as I have done since day one.”
The Sun reported: “Sources close to the player have indicated they believe the fracture with Alonso is irreparable and he may have to leave.”
The newspaper claimed that Manchester United “will view signing Vinicius as a statement of intent”.
More Real Madrid coverage on F365…
👉 Real Madrid: Vinicius “could leave” at “point of no return” for two reasons: “relationship has broken”
👉 Former Barcelona president defends Lamine Yamal, insists Carvajal is ‘done’ as a player
👉 Vinicius Junior has only one place to go after Real Madrid’s ‘quit’ bombshell
Transfer journalist Graham Bailey claims that Vinicius has his “eyes on” West London club Chelsea, who are one of the clubs he is “looking at” regarding Vinicius’ future at Real Madrid.
Bailey told Chelsea Chronicle: “Let’s not forget about Vini Junior. It’s not new that he’s not comfortable there. He only has 18 months left on his contract and Real Madrid have told him that if he doesn’t sign a new contract by next summer they will sell him.”
“There are only a handful of clubs who can get him. I hear he doesn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia. In England, there are only Chelsea, City and Liverpool. There are only a handful of clubs who can get him. I hear he doesn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia. In England, there are only Chelsea, City and Liverpool.”
“I know that these types of deals are not something Chelsea tend to do at the moment, but if a player like that came on the market I don’t think Todd Boley would turn his nose up at it because he’s a generational player. Imagine the commercial benefit they could get from Vini Junior.”
“If we come next summer and he only has one year left, we’re not talking about £200m. I wouldn’t necessarily take Chelsea out of the equation. I think he’ll sign a new contract, but he’s obviously not happy.”
“Keep an eye on Vini Junior. Chelsea are one of the players who have looked at him before and he is on their radar.”
