REAL MADRID might have no choice but to sell superstar Vinicius Junior to Saudi Arabia.
Vinicius has been offered a lucrative five-year deal worth a staggering total of €1billion – which works out at £832million.
Vinicius, 24, has a contract with Real until 2027 and club president Florentino Perez can’t afford to let him go for nothing.
Madrid already benefitted from swooping Kylian Mbappe for no transfer fee from PSG.
With the Saudi’s not letting up on their pursuit of Vinicius, Madrid would surely receive a world-record fee.
In fact, Madrid’s share of the deal is believed to be around £237.5million, according to The Times.
That would be reasonable profit on a player bought for roughly £37million at the age of 18.
In that time, Vinícius has helped win two Champions League titles and three domestic titles among 13 trophies for Real in all.
Prising the Brazilian star away from them in his prime would be a huge statement of intent.
Vinicius could depart in the most incredible transfer in football history with in excess of €1billion being paid by Saudi Arabia.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
No club has been named but there are four leading sides – Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, and Al-Shabab.
The Saudi Pro League shares out imported talent as a way of keeping the league competitive.
As of now, Madrid do not want to sell.
Yet those close to the club suspect it will happen as they fear losing him for nothing in two years time, according to The Times.
And Vinicius would be open to becoming the first overnight billionaire footballer.
Despite starring for Madrid, the Bernabeu outfit have proved that their next superstar is never far away.
Summer signing Mbappe was the star of Wednesday night’s heroics as the Frenchman bagged a stunning hat-trick in Madrid’s 3-1 demolition of Manchester City in the Champions League.
Vinicius’ book of grievances include the abhorrent racism he has often faced in LaLiga and missing out on the Ballon d’Or to City midfielder Rodri in the summer.
He will still have the World Cup with Brazil as his global showcase.
Meanwhile, Saudi once lured players eyeing retirement savings, like N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino.
Manchester United had hopes of sending Casemiro there too in order to get his £350,00-a-week wages off the bill.
But the Middle Eastern nation’s recruitment plans have shifted towards young, current stars, with a promising football future.
Their big January recruit was the explosive Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, 21, who joined for £70million.
SHAMROCK Rovers eagerly anticipated clash against Cork City has been postponed.
The League of Ireland Premier Division match between Rovers and Cork was called-off less than an hour before the planned 6pm kick-off.
LOI brass announced the news in a statement on Sunday evening, just 30 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.
It read: “This evening’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between Shamrock Rovers and Cork City has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch caused by the heavy downpour as kick off approached.
“The pitch had undergone two pitch inspections in the day leading up to the fixture.
“However a considerable downpour closer to kick-off left the pitch unplayable.
“A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.”
Two pitch inspections were passed earlier in the day after heavy overnight rain and wind in Dublin.
While conditions remained stable throughout most of the afternoon, they worsened later in the day, prompting a third inspection at 5pm.
Following that assessment, officials decided to call off the game.
The Tallaght Stadium pitch had already hosted two matches earlier in the week.
Shamrock Rovers’ 120-minute UEFA Conference League clash defeat against Molde on Thursday night.
That was followed by the Republic of Ireland’s WNT UEFA Nations League victory over Turkey on Friday.
JOHN Higgins was responsible for the strangest foul that even baffled Eurosport commentator Neal Foulds.
The Scot was in action at the World Open in China against Mark Davis.
Even though he won his tournament opener in Yushan 5-1, there was one moment when he even disgusted himself.
The four-time world champion was at the table when he attempted to put a pink.
However, his cue accidentally connected with a red he was cuing just above.
As the ball rolled across the tale, Higgins walked off annoyed and returned to his seat.
That prompted Foulds to share his shock at the bizarre incident.
“Goodness me, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” he said first.
As a replay was being shown, he added: “I haven’t seen a red ball move like that after no contact with the cue ball. It just went across the table.”
Higgins, who turns 50 this year, is without a ranking title in four years.
Although he’s still performing well, the former world No1 believes his lack of success is down to the fact he doesn’t practice as much.
“I’ll be honest, it’s not rocket science,” he told the Metro.
“I can do it in fits and bursts, but it’s maybe because you don’t put in the same level of practice as you used to do and that maybe comes back to haunt you at the critical moments in the big, big events.
“I’d love to be able to practice more, but I just can’t. My mind just can’t take it in. I just don’t have the capabilities to do it.
“I still love playing, I still love competing. I want to be competitive when I come to big events, of course I do, but that’s maybe the deciding factor of it. It can be as simple as that really.”
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an alleged assault left a man hospitalised with “serious injuries” in Tyrone.
PSNI in Northern Ireland say a man was reported injured in the Perry Street area of Dungannon.
The alert was raised around 12.00am today, Sunday, February 23.
Officers and emergency services raced to the scene before the injured man was rushed to hospital.
His injured have been described as “serious” as cops believe he was assault by another man.
They are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
And they urged anyone with information, including dashcam footage, to make contact.
A spokesperson fro the PSNI said: “Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of an injured man in the Perry Street area of Dungannon around 12am on Sunday, February 23.”
Inspector Knipe said: “Officers and other emergency service colleagues attended the scene, and the injured man was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.
“At this stage, we believe that he was assaulted by another man, and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this.
“I would appeal to anyone with information, including dashcam, CCTV or other video footage, to contact police on 101, quoting reference 3 of 23/02/25.
“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.”
Meanwhile is underway after a man was shot in the south inner city area of Dublin Friday night.
The man was shot twice in the Rutland Avenue area and is being treated in hospital for non life-threatening injuries.
Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the shooting.
One theory is that he may have been targeted over a drug debt.
A source said: “The man is known to gardaí for his addiction problems but isn’t a major gangland player.
“He is currently being treated in hospital for his injuries.”
Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
A spokesperson said: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following the discharge of a firearm in Dublin 12 last night, Friday 21st February 2025.”
Mumbai, Feb 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The State Bank of India (SBI) is targeting to be Net-Zero in emissions by 2055, the year the bank celebrates the centenary year of its existence, SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty...
The post SBI sets Net Zero emissions target for its centenary year in 2055 appeared first on Social News XYZ.
New Delhi, Feb 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated Team India for defeating by six wickets in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. The Home Minister wrote in his ‘X’ post, “An...
The post ‘An electrifying performance’, says Amit Shah after India defeats Pakistan appeared first on Social News XYZ.