Chelsea have been linked with a move for Vinicius Jr as speculation continues to grow around his Real Madrid future with his contract set to run out in June 2027
13:52, 07 Jan 2026Updated 14:06, 07 Jan 2026
Vinicius Jr in action for Real Madrid
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Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea target Vincius Jr is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer if he doesn't sign a new contract, it has been claimed. The Brazilian has 18 months left on his current deal at Santiago Bernabeu and Los Blancos are prepared to sell him at the end of the season should he decide against committing his long-term future to the club.
Real don't want to lose Vinicius for free at the end of his contract, meaning this summer could be their final chance to get a sizeable fee for the 25-year-old forward. It has been reported that Chelsea are preparing a stunning £138million bid to secure his services - a fee that would represent a British record.
However, Chelsea's proposed offer for Vinicius is, at this stage, just speculation. That is according to Brazilian journalist Leonardo Bertozzi, who spoke to El Desmarque about the latest on the ex-Flamengo man.
"The Chelsea offer, for now, is just speculation," Bertozzi said. "It's clear that the longer Vinicius waits to renew, the more talk there will be about his future because he only has 18 months left on his contract.
"The most logical thing if he doesn't sign is for him to be sold this year because Real Madrid wouldn't let him reach the end of his contract and leave for free."
Vinicius has scored five goals and provided eight assists in 25 appearances for Real this season. Although Vinicius' long-term future at Real is uncertain, Bertozzi believes there is a strong chance he will commit to Real and sign a new contract if Xabi Alonso is sacked - a situation that would rule out a summer move to Chelsea.
Vinicius Jr
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Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
"There's one thing, everything can change. It's not entirely certain that Xabi Alonso will stay at Real Madrid. If they lose the Spanish Super Cup, his future will be up in the air,” Bertozzi said.
"If a new coach arrives, I’d say Vinicius’s chances of staying at Real Madrid could change. For now, I can say that Vinicius doesn’t want to renew his contract, as there are still doubts about his relationship with Xabi Alonso."
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Chelsea and a number of other clubs around Europe are expected to monitor Vinicius' situation at Real throughout the season and into the summer. But for now, it's added that claims of a record-breaking offer from the Blues could be a negotiation tactic by his camp to put pressure on Real to secure an improved deal.
Vinicius' teammate Rodrygo is attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, while Chelsea's Deivid Washington is being linked with a move back to Brazil.
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