Khaled Al-Issa, director of Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli, has confirmed that his club tried to buy Brazilian Vinicius from Real Madrid.

According to sources in Madrid, Vinicius had no desire to move to the Middle East, although he has not completely closed off the possibility of a transfer.

"There was a desire to bring in a very great winger, Vinicius, from Real Madrid, but during the negotiations something unexpected happened, which was the departure of the Saudi players to become professionals in accordance with the scholarship program, and the departure of striker Firas Al-Braikan was planned," Al-Issa revealed.

According to the Spanish press, there was talk of a billion-euro contract for the Real Madrid star and a transfer fee of €300-400 million.