Manchester United have reportedly taken a decisive step in their pursuit of Vinicius Jr, with reports from Spain confirming that club officials—including emissaries acting for Sir Jim Ratcliffe—have held a face-to-face "summit" with the Brazilian superstar in Madrid.
The audacious move signals INEOS’s intent to secure a true "Galactico" signing to spearhead the Ruben Amorim era. According to Football365, Ratcliffe views the 25-year-old not just as a player, but as the club's "new icon"—a figure capable of carrying the torch once held by legends like Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney.
The "New Icon" Pitch
The meeting, described as a pitch to convince the player of United's project, comes at a time when Vinicius’s relationship with Real Madrid has hit an all-time low. INEOS chiefs reportedly told the winger that he would be the undisputed centerpiece of the team at Old Trafford, a status he currently has to fight for alongside Kylian Mbappe at the Bernabeu.
United are understood to be willing to "pay Vinicius absolutely everything he asks for," with money described as "no object" for a signing of this magnitude. The pitch is simple: leave the shadow of Mbappe and become the face of the Premier League's biggest rebuild.
Tension with Xabi Alonso Boils Over
The timing of United's approach is calculated. Vinicius has endured a fractured relationship with manager Xabi Alonso this season. The tension reached a boiling point during October's El Clasico, where the Brazilian was seen shouting at the bench after being substituted: "Me? Coach? Coach, me? It's always me. I'm leaving the team. It's better I leave.".
Furthermore, contract talks have completely collapsed. Vinicius is demanding parity with Mbappe’s astronomical wage package, a demand that President Florentino Perez considers "unfair". As a result, Real Madrid have reportedly set a starting price of €150 million (£125m), though a bidding war could easily push this towards a world-record fee.
Amorim's Tactical Dream
For Ruben Amorim, adding Vinicius Jr would be the ultimate tactical weapon. The Portuguese coach relies heavily on inside forwards who can destroy defences in 1v1 situations. While Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have shown flashes, Vinicius offers a level of consistent, elite output that United have lacked for a decade.
With Kobbie Mainoo anchoring the midfield and the potential arrival of Antoine Semenyo adding depth, Vinicius would arrive as the crown jewel of a refreshed attack. However, financing the deal would almost certainly require high-profile exits, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro likely candidates to make way.
What Happens Next?
The "summit" in Madrid has moved this from internet rumour to concrete possibility. Real Madrid are pragmatists; if Vinicius refuses to sign a new deal and the friction with Alonso continues, they will sell in the summer of 2026 rather than lose an asset for free later. Manchester United have made their pitch. Now, they must wait to see if the Brazilian is ready to trade the white of Madrid for the red of Manchester.