Carlo Ancelotti responds to Saudi Arabia transfer interest in Vinicius Junior as Real Madrid boss makes ‘no princes or kings’ declaration ahead of Kylian Mbappe’s debut

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has responded to reports of Saudi interest in Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Vinicius Junior has emerged as a transfer target for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, who are willing to offer the Real Madrid star a blockbuster contract that would make the Brazilian the highest-paid athlete in the world. GOAL understands that Vinicius Junior is yet to reject the contract and talks between the two clubs are taking place.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Superstars such as Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have already been lured to Saudi Arabia but it remains to be seen if Vinicius will join them in the Middle East. The 24-year-old is a vital player for Real Madrid, scoring 24 goals last season to help Los Blancos claim La Liga and Champions League titles.

WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

Ancelotti has played down the Vinicius transfer talk ahead of Real Madrid’s Super Cup final clash with Atalanta. He told reporters: “There isn’t anything at all. 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]. He’s here, he wants to be here. He wants to do his best and help Real Madrid.”

Vinicius is expected to play against Atalanta on Wednesday alongside new signing Kylian Mbappe. The France star is set to make his debut and Ancelotti says he’s adapting well.

“Kylian has arrived well, like all the other [players], who haven’t had much time [to train]. He’s arrived in good form, he’s adapting well. Obviously everyone who’s here [in Warsaw] could play tomorrow. There’s an atmosphere here that’s very healthy. That’s down to the players who’ve been here, like Dani [Carvajal], like Nacho [Fernandez], [Luka] Modric. There are no princes or kings; there are just players with different qualities, players who’ve used their qualities for the good of the team.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID

Al-Ahli are willing to offer Vinicius a package worth around €1 billion (£854m/$1.1bn) to make the switch to the Middle East but it remains to be seen if a deal will go ahead. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be aiming to lift their first silverware of the season against Atalanta before kicking off the defence of their La Liga title title on Sunday away at Real Mallorca.