The 24-year-old has hit double figures in each of the last three seasons, and has scored 68 goals in 238 appearances for the club.

Madrid had considered Vinicius to be ‘untransferable’ but the club remain intent on signing Kylian Mbappe.

The Frenchman would take Vinicius’ position on the left flank and though he will likely sign on a free transfer at the end of the season, he would become the best paid player in the world at the Bernabeu.

Mbappe could be looking at wages north of £600,000-a-week and though Madrid would be saving on a transfer fee, the annual costs of signing the Frenchman would be around £30m.

Over the span of Mbappe’s contract, that would mean an outlay of at least £150m.

Those are extraordinary figures and they’re so eye-watering that Sport say Madrid will consider cashing in on Vinicius to fund Mbappe’s arrival.

That could be good news for Manchester United, who are said to be willing to pay £130m for the Brazilian.

Whether Vinicius would be willing to move to Old Trafford without the prospect of Champions League football remains a different matter.

United are currently eight points off fourth position, and Arsenal have a game in hand on the Red Devils.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes to have full control of football operations in early February, and the club will appoint a new CEO, a sporting director and a head of recruitment to oversee operations.