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Saudi Arabian clubs 'targeting' Vinicius Junior's Real Madrid teammate

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 August 2024, 08:59
Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao is reportedly on the radar of a number of Saudi Pro League clubs.

There has recently been a host of speculation surrounding the future of Vinicius Junior, with teams from Saudi Arabia thought to be willing to pay him an astronomical salary to move to their top flight.

It has been claimed that Vinicius could receive in the region of £300m a year if he moved to Saudi Arabia, but Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti played down the exit rumours ahead of the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

"We have a squad and other good players have arrived. It's [the Saudi Pro League] not a threat, we have a lot of quality. I'm sure we can do great things. Vinicius? There is nothing. It's market speculation," Ancelotti said when asked whether he was concerned by the rumours surrounding the Brazilian star.

According to Fichajes, Vinicius is not the only Real Madrid player being targeted, with Militao also emerging as a target for teams in Saudi's top flight.

Saudi clubs 'interested' in signing Militao

The report claims that senior figures involved with the division will do 'everything possible' to convince Militao to leave Real Madrid in the near future.

The 26-year-old initially found it difficult to impress for Real Madrid after his arrival in 2019, but he enjoyed excellent 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns for the capital giants.

Militao was restricted to just 13 appearances in all competitions last season due to a serious knee injury, but he looked back to his best in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta BC on Wednesday night.

In total, the Brazilian defender has played 156 times for Real Madrid, scoring 11 goals and registering five assists in the process, while he has another four years left to run on his contract.

Should Real Madrid consider selling Militao?

Money talks in football, and it would put Real Madrid in a difficult position if they were presented with a serious offer for Militao, but unless a ridiculous bid arrives, then Los Blancos have to shut down the interest.

David Alaba has been out since last December with a serious knee injury, and there are doubts surrounding his long-term future, while Nacho left the club on a free transfer earlier this summer.

Antonio Rudiger is again set to be a vital player for Real Madrid this season, but the capital giants are short in the middle of their defence, and they simply cannot afford to lose a player of Militao's quality.

A new centre-back is expected to arrive next summer, with Los Blancos believed to be currently monitoring three youngsters in that area of the field.

However, Militao should be regarded as an untouchable in the Real Madrid squad, and it would be a shock if he wanted to leave one of the best sides in European football at this stage of his career.

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