Man Utd officials have met with Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior as they look to make him a \u2018new icon\u2019 of the club, according to reports.<\/p>\n
The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu with reports of tension brewing between him and\u00a0Real Madrid\u00a0head coach Xabi Alonso.<\/p>\n
As well as speculation about his relationship with the Spaniard, there are claims that he wants a new deal at Real Madrid to take him onto the same money as French superstar Kylian Mbappe, which has led to new contract talks stalling.<\/p>\n
Vinicius Junior, who has contributed five goals and seven assists in 23 appearances in all competitions, caused a scene when he was substituted by Alonso in the El Clasico against Barcelona in October.<\/p>\n
On his way off the pitch, he reportedly said:\u00a0\u201cMe? Coach? Coach, me? It\u2019s always me. I\u2019m leaving the team. It\u2019s better I leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although he issued an apology in the following days, it sparked rumours that it could be unlikely that Real Madrid will start next season with Vinicius Junior still at the club.<\/p>\n
READ:\u00a0Man Utd kids have \u2018reactionary hissy fits\u2019 after Mainoo brother \u2018tantrum\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri revealed in November that there had been a \u2018complete breakdown\u2019 in contract talks with Real Madrid \u2018now open to a sale\u2019.<\/p>\n Tavolieri wrote on the Swiss\u00a0Sky\u00a0website:\u00a0\u2018A major upheaval is brewing in Madrid. According to several reliable sources, Real Madrid has set Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior\u2019s starting price at \u20ac150 million, following the complete breakdown of contract extension talks. The tension between the Brazilian international and coach Xabi Alonso is so high that a source close to the Real Madrid dressing room told us it was \u2018very difficult to imagine Vin\u00edcius still at Madrid next season.’\u201d<\/p>\n And now reports in Spain claim that Vinicius held a \u2018summit\u2019 with Man Utd<\/a> in Madrid recently as they look to persuade him to join the Red Devils in the summer.<\/p>\n Vinicius is still \u2018demanding to be paid exactly the same\u2019 as Mbappe, \u2018a\u00a0demand that those at the Santiago Bernab\u00e9u consider unfair, given the performances of the World Cup winner and the number 7.\u2019<\/p>\n MORE ON MAN UTD FROM F365: The Brazil international\u2019s contract expires in 2027, meaning Real Madrid will have to look to sell him in the summer if he refuses to renew his deal.<\/p>\n The report adds of interested parties and Sir Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s desire to get a deal over the line:\u00a0\u2018Among them\u00a0is\u00a0Manchester United\u00a0, who haven\u2019t wasted any time. Jim Ratcliffe wants to make him the club\u2019s new icon, just as Wayne Rooney,\u00a0Cristiano Ronaldo\u00a0, Eric Cantona, and Ruud van Nistelrooy were in their time,\u00a0and initial contact has already been made.\u2019<\/p>\n Man Utd \u2018intend to pay Vin\u00edcius absolutely everything he asks for, as money is no object\u2019 after \u2018several\u00a0emissaries\u2019 met the Brazilian.<\/p>\n
*\u00a0Premier League player power rankings: Fernandes up to second, Foden in top six, Rogers 15th<\/a>
*\u00a0Man Utd: Souness names Amorim\u2019s only two above \u2018average\u2019 stars; explains head coach\u2019s main \u2018problem\u2019<\/a>
*\u00a0Romano reveals Man Utd have \u2018made contact\u2019 in last 48 hours for PL forward as race \u2018really heats up\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n