Saudi Pro League CEO says signing of Real Madrid star Vinicius 'just a matter of time'

The Brazilian has been courted by many Saudi clubs.

According to the CEO of the division, Vinicius Junior’s big-money move from Real Madrid to the Saudi Pro League is “just a matter of time.”

At the young age of 24, the Brazil international team forward has already been the subject of rumours about a move to the Middle East. According to reports, suitors are assembling a record-breaking deal for €1 billion (£854 million/$1.1 billion) in a league that already includes Real Madrid greats Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Vinicius is expected to follow a similar career path in the near future, according to Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League. “We don’t have dreams, it’s a matter of time and negotiation,” he told Marca in response to a question concerning interest in the South American sensation.

Mugharbel went on to discuss luring elite players to a league with lofty goals:

“Foreign players have always been part of Saudi teams. In recent years, the number of possible foreign players in teams has changed. This season we have included the number of eight plus two others under 21 years of age. It has always been in the DNA of this league to bring in players from outside to make it more attractive. What has changed massively, especially in the last two years, has been the quality of the players who come. Benzema, among others, create a bigger impact, both nationally and internationally.”

Global interest in the Saudi Pro League is still growing, and Mugharbel is certain that they can contend with the top divisions in Europe for attention.

He continued by saying: “We are the number one league in Asia, but we want to be part of the top 10 in the world. Right now I can’t tell you where we are. We have to wait until the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is reportedly nearing an agreement to extend his contract with Riyadh-based Al-Nassr, keeping him in the Middle East with the most lucrative deal in global football.

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