Vinicius Jr is not having a great season, especially by his own sky-high standards. After playing at a Ballon d'Or level for a few years, we have seen his form and performances dip lately. He has not scored a goal for Real Madrid since early October of last year and contract extension talks with the club are believed to be stalled at the moment. Naturally, he has been linked with a move away, with Chelsea one of the clubs to be suggested as a possible destination for the Brazilian superstar.
Reports coming out of Spain had suggested that Chelsea were preparing a record €150 million offer for Vinicius. Unsurprisingly, the fans were sceptical by the rumours as we have not seen that kind of move from this ownership since their takeover in 2022, and it would be unlike them to tweak their transfer model.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on the situation. And it is just as many would have predicted, although not positive if you are a Chelsea fan.
As reported by Romano, reports on Vinicius and Chelsea are completely wide of the mark. There have been no talks, no bid, and no negotiations.
Fabrizio Romano drops Vinicius Jr to Chelsea transfer news
Someone like Vinicius might be exactly what Chelsea need at this point in time. They do not have enough difference-makers in this team right now.
We have seen Cole Palmer struggle with a groin issue for months, and that has clearly had an effect on his performances. This is not the same player who was playing at a Ballon d'Or level at his best. Other than him, the Blues have nobody who can decide a match on his own.
Then again, the ownership and sporting directors seem a lot happier signing three unproven youngsters, who rarely make much of an impact, than going after a bona fide superstar who will almost certainly help the team. That is the Chelsea model these days, and the fans are starting to wake up to it.
As for Vinicius, it looks like a move to Chelsea is not on the cards for him, unfortunately. That does not mean that he will continue at Real Madrid. The contract situation has dragged on for a long time now, and the longer his poor run of form continues, the higher the chances that Los Blancos would be okay with seeing him leave.