'Increasingly convinced' - Real Madrid insider delivers huge Vinícius Júnior update after Liverpool contact

Fair to say, Liverpool supporters have been left frustrated by the club's summer transfer activity, or indeed lack thereof so far. Víctor Muñoz, a World Cup winner now, has arrived from Osasuna for around £35.5 million but, with Mohamed Salah having departed, and Hugo Ekitiké injured long-term, the Reds really lack many elite-level attacking difference makers. But, could that be about to change?

There is intensifying speculation that Vinícius Júnior will not sign a new contract at Real Madrid; his current deal expires in less than 12 months. Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon asserts that Liverpool are one of the clubs most closely monitoring the situation. Speaking in a YouTube video, he asserts that, if the Brazilian does not renew, which he describes as "unlikely", a move to the Premier League is the most plausible outcome.

Well, among English clubs, he notes that Vini's camp "responded positively" to Liverpool's interest above all else, suggesting that the Reds would be at the front of the queue. Well, on Saturday, it was reported by David Ornstein and James McNicholas of the Athletic that Arsenal are also "exploring a move" for the 26 year old. A competitor in the market may not sound ideal, but this further suggests that Vinícius might just be on the move, so could this be to Anfield?

Why Vinícius Júnior could leave Real Madrid

There are numerous factors at play. The reason this is a pressing issue, first and foremost, is that Vinícius has just one year remaining on his contract, and Real Madrid will not want him leave for free under any circumstances. Secondly, despite being two of the best attackers in the world, Vini and Kylian Mbappé have never really worked well together in the same team, occupying similar spaces, which has unbalanced the side, hence why los Blancos have won no major trophies in the two years following Mbappé's arrival. Real Madrid are never going to cut ties with the Frenchman so, if one is going to fall by the wayside, it will be Vini.

Also, in the last 24 hours, it has emerged that Real Madrid are interested in Yan Diomandé. The Ivorian, valued at €100 million, remains a target for Liverpool, but does this suggest that they're planning to offload Vinícius, both financial and from a roster build point of view?

Lastly, and this is the elephant in the room, but what about the Brazilian's relationship with new head coach José Mourinho? Back in February, in a Champions League clash at Estádio da Luz, Vinícius was racial abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. During the ensuing melee, Mourinho could be seen speaking to Vini in a forthright manor, potentially trying to be supportive. However, it later transpired that he was doing nothing of the sort:

"I told him that when you score a goal like that, you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him that the biggest person in the history of this club is Black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist... there is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. Every stadium where Vinícius plays, something happens. Always."

The 63 year old really showed his true colours there, essentially saying that it is Vinícius' fault that he is racial abused because he scored a wonderful goal and celebrated it, suggesting he brings it upon himself, a disgraceful thing to infer. Also, Mourinho's claim that no one connected to Benfica could possibly be racist because the Eagles' greatest-ever player Eusébio, who left the club over half a century ago, was black, is just a ridiculous thing to say. So, when he returns to Valdebebas from his holiday, will Vinícius want to play for Mourinho? That remains to be seen.

Why Vinícius Júnior would be a transformational signing for Liverpool

It is obvious to see why Vinícius is rated so highly, very much one of the very best players in the world. Since joining Real Madrid from Flamengo as a teenager, he has scored 128 goals and racked up 100 assists in 375 appearances. Last season was actually his second-most productive in La Liga, netting 16 times, as well as scoring five goals and notching eight assists in the Champions League.

Vinícius has become one of only nine men to score in multiple Champions League Finals in the modern era. He was the only goalscorer against Liverpool at the Stade de France in 2022, before bagging the clincher against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley two years later. Still only 26 years old, Vini may well be entering his prime years, and would instantaneously be among the best players in the Premier League. Signing Vinícius may seem like a pip dream for Liverpool supporters, but who knows, there is at least a chance he ends up swapping Madrid for Merseyside in the coming weeks.

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