Ever since the 2022 season, European clubs like Real Madrid have had to look over their shoulder as Saudi Arabia clubs come in with big money offers trying to poach top players from any club.
The aim of the Saudi clubs is to convince the players to leave their leagues as they look to make the Saudi Pro League the pinnacle of football.
Real Madrid have been approached by Saudi Arabia several times and has seen some of their players depart to join the project. Thankfully for the club however, they haven't lost any of the cornerstone pieces of their future, they have lost older, veteran players like Nacho Fernandez and Karim Benzema.
However, Saudi Arabian officials are determined to sign Real Madrid's top star no matter the cost. Vinicius Jr has become the number one interest of the Saudi Pro League, with a reported €1 billion contract offer being drawn up for the Brazilian. Real Madrid will obviously fight tooth and nail to keep their star player, however, in the case that he does leave, Los Blancos already have a successor in mind.
Real Madrid eyeing Vinicius Jr replacement amid Saudi Arabia links
As being reported by the Daily Mail, Real Madrid have identified Athletic Club winger Nico Williams as they man who could fill the shoes of Vinicius Jr should the Brazilian shock the world and leave Los Blancos. The Spanish international is valued at around €70 million ahead of the summer transfer window.
Williams was one of the key players in Spain's Euro victory this past summer and has had a decent season with Athletic Club, registering nine goals and eight assists in all competitions. While the Spaniard is no doubt a fantastic player, and given he is still only 22 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop, his signing may not be the best for the club.
Vinicius Jr is Vinicius Jr. He is one of the best players in the world at the moment, if not the best. He is a one-of-one player who cannot simply be replaced just by signing another player.
Nico Williams would no doubt have a hard time replicating the numbers that Vinicius Jr has been producing over the past few seasons. The pressure of the shirt and the player he is replacing may be too much for the winger to handle.