Real Madrid want to resume contract talks with Vinicius Jr this week. The Brazilian winger reported back for pre-season training on Monday, undergoing his first medical assessment since the World Cup and working under new manager Jose Mourinho for the first time. But the picture around the negotiation table is far less tidy than the one on the training pitch.

According to MARCA, as of 3 August, Vinicius has decided not to renew his current deal and intends to wait until January — when he is free to speak to any club — before negotiating further MARCA. That directly contradicts the BBC's reporting that Madrid are hopeful of concluding talks this week BBC Sport. When sources clash, the most recently published account carries the most weight — and both are dated 3 August, making the situation genuinely fluid.

Either way, the stakes are straightforward. Vinicius's contract expires next summer. If no new deal is signed, he can leave on a free transfer — meaning Madrid would get nothing for a player who has carried their attack for years.

This saga has dragged on for two summers now. Renewal talks began roughly 18 months ago but slowed over disagreements about wages and Vinicius's status within the club. He is believed to want financial recognition as Madrid's top star, a position he held long before Kylian Mbappé arrived. Madrid, under president Florentino Perez, are traditionally strict about their salary structure, and Mbappé currently sits as the club's highest earner. MARCA reported on 31 July that Madrid told Vinicius's representatives their latest offer was definitive, with no further negotiation planned — and that the offer was actually a reduced one from previous proposals MARCA.

Arsenal had been circling, identified as the club most interested in signing Vinicius if the Madrid talks collapsed. But MARCA reported on 29 July that the Gunners had abandoned that idea, apparently concluding the deal was not viable MARCA.

For his part, Vinicius has spoken warmly about staying. He has called Real Madrid "the club of my dreams" and said he hopes to remain there "for many years." Mourinho, sources say, is keen for him to commit. The manager's backing adds a fresh voice to a negotiation that has stalled under the old guard.

There is recent precedent for a late resolution. In 2023, with his previous contract entering its final year, Vinicius signed an extension keeping him at the Bernabéu until 2027. Madrid will hope history repeats. Right now, the two sides appear to be reading from different scripts.