Real Madrid target Super Eagles star with 27 G/A in 2024 as Vinicius Jr nears world-record move to Al-Hilal

Real Madrid may soon face the departure of their star forward Vinicius Junior, with Al-Hilal reportedly preparing a record-breaking €300 million bid for the Brazilian, Soccernet.ng understands.

If completed, this transfer would eclipse Neymar’s 2017 move to Paris Saint-Germain, currently the most expensive transfer in history at €222 million.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes via El Futbolero, the Saudi Pro League side is eyeing Vinicius as a marquee addition and potential replacement for Neymar, who could leave Al-Hilal at the season’s end.

Real Madrid, anticipating the possible exit of Vinicius, have turned their attention to Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman as a strong candidate to fill the void.

Lookman, a standout performer for Atalanta in Serie A, has amassed an impressive 27 goal involvements (16 goals, 11 assists) across all competitions in 2024, making him the league’s top player in this category.

His recent brace in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over league leaders Napoli on Sunday only cemented his status, as he moved to double figures in league goal contributions for the season, with six goals and four assists.

At 27, Lookman’s dynamic presence and consistent goal-scoring make him a fitting option for Real Madrid’s forward line.

Lookman was close to moving to PSG in the summer after the French giants identified him as the ideal replacement for Kylian Mbappe who left to join Real Madrid. Negotiations eventually broke down between the parties involved. 

Atalanta value Lookman at around €60 million (£50 million), a fee well within reach for Madrid, who could potentially reinvest a significant portion of the funds from Vinicius’s sale.

In addition to Al-Hilal, Chelsea are also among the clubs that have expressed interest in Vinicius.