Will Vinicius Junior leave Real Madrid? The crisis worsens amid fighting in the training field and players being hospitalized International Sports News –

Real Madrid’s turbulent week has reportedly taken another dramatic turn, with Vinicius Junior now linked with a possible departure from the club amid growing tension within the squad ahead of Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona. The latest reports arrive just a day after midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Chouamini were involved in a serious altercation during training which ultimately left Valverde needing hospital treatment with a head injury. Real Madrid later confirmed in a medical statement that Valverde had suffered “craniocerebral trauma,” a type of concussion, and the Uruguay captain is expected to miss the confrontation against Barcelona after he was advised to rest for a period ranging between 10 and 14 days according to the medical protocol. The incident reportedly began during a physical training match before escalating in the locker room. Valverde later stated that the injury occurred after he “accidentally hit the table”, causing what he described as a “small cut” on his forehead. Spanish reports also suggested there was tension elsewhere within the dressing room, including an alleged feud between full-back Alvaro Carreras and centre-back Antonio Rudiger.

Vinicius Junior attracts interest from the English Premier League

Against this backdrop, TEAMtalk reports that Vinicius Junior is now attracting serious interest from several Premier League clubs, with Manchester City said to be closely monitoring his situation. The Brazil international currently has just over 12 months remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, with negotiations over a new deal stalled during 2025. According to the report, both Vinicius and Real Madrid have agreed to reconsider contract talks this summer, but several key issues are said to remain unresolved.

TEAMtalk reported that Real Madrid informed the player last year that failure to agree new terms this summer could ultimately lead to a sale rather than allowing him to approach free agency. Although staying in Madrid is still viewed internally as the most likely outcome, groundwork has already been done regarding potential alternatives if the two sides decide to part ways.

Manchester City are seen as the favourites

Manchester City are said to be viewed as serious contenders if Vinicius becomes available. TEAMtalk claimed that City view the situation as a rare market opportunity, believing players of Vinicius’ caliber rarely make it during their prime years. The report also linked City’s interest to the uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of winger Jeremy Doku, noting that the January signing of Antoine Simenho would not prevent the Premier League champions from pursuing the Brazilian. Alongside City, both Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly monitoring developments closely. Arsenal are believed to be actively searching for a left-wing striker, while Chelsea retain what TEAMtalk describes as a long-standing admiration for the 25-year-old striker. However, the absence of European football could complicate Chelsea’s chances. The report added that Liverpool and Manchester United have also been alerted to the situation, while European giants Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring developments. Saudi League clubs are also considered a potential option if negotiations between Vinicius and Madrid collapse completely.

Tensions over the Ballon d’Or and the rivalry with City remain present

Any potential move to Manchester City would also add another layer to Vinicius’ already tense recent history with the club. Back in 2024, Real Madrid believed Vinicius deserved to win the Ballon d’Or before midfielder Rodri eventually claimed the award. The decision prompted Real Madrid to completely boycott the concert in Paris. Months later, when Real Madrid faced City in the Champions League, City supporters unveiled a banner showing Rodri holding the Ballon d’Or alongside the message: “Stop crying your heart out.” After the match, Vinicius responded directly to the banner. “I saw it, I saw the sign,” he said. “When opposing fans do things like this, they give me more power to have a great match, and here I did.”

Vinicius is still producing despite the uncertainty

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Vinicius has continued to put up strong numbers for Real Madrid this season. The Brazilian has scored 21 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, including four goals in his last three league matches. Although he has not quite replicated the heights that made him a top contender for the Ballon d’Or in 2024, he remains one of the most valuable and influential strikers in world football.

One of the ongoing issues during his time in Spain was the repeated racist abuse directed at him from sections of fans across La Liga, something that repeatedly sparked controversy and wider conversations about racism in Spanish football. Meanwhile, the growing instability within Real Madrid’s dressing room comes at a critical stage of the season, with Barcelona sitting at the top of La Liga by 11 points heading into the final Clásico on Sunday.