Mourinho to personally convince Vinícius to stay: 'You are key'

Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho is planning to personally step into contract talks with Vinícius Júnior, aiming to persuade the Brazilian winger to extend his stay at the Bernabéu, according to Sport.es. The Portuguese manager wants a face-to-face meeting with the player, whose current deal runs until the summer of 2027. Mourinho is convinced his tactical vision can accommodate all the club’s top stars — Vinícius, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham — and intends to assure the 24‑year‑old that he will be a cornerstone of the new project. Negotiations over a new contract have hit a standstill. Vinícius is seeking an annual salary in the region of €30 million, matching Mbappé’s wage bracket, but the Madrid hierarchy has so far been reluctant to commit to that figure. Mourinho’s direct involvement could break the deadlock.