BREAKING NEWS: Vinicius Jr confirms £70m Brazil teammate has chosen Manchester United over Real Madrid
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has set the football world buzzing after revealing that Lucas Paquetá has chosen Manchester United over a move to the Bernabéu, despite intense pressure from Madrid and a personal plea from Vinicius himself. The Brazilian star, who shares a close friendship with Paquetá, admitted he was stunned to learn that the midfielder had already decided his future long before Madrid made their late push.
People close to the Brazilian national team revealed that Vinicius felt genuinely hurt by the decision, confiding in friends that he pleaded with Paquetá to join him in Spain and chase silverware together. Instead, he was told the midfielder’s heart was already set on Manchester, leaving Vinicius feeling blindsided and emotional. His comments have sparked heated debate across both countries, with fans interpreting the situation in different ways — some siding with Vinicius, others insisting Paquetá has every right to choose his own path.
Those around Paquetá say the West Ham star has been quietly convinced for months that Old Trafford is where he wants to be. He reportedly believes Manchester United’s project offers him the chance to step into a leadership role and shape a new era for the club beginning in January. Even with Real Madrid making a strong late attempt to lure him to LaLiga, Paquetá is said to have told his inner circle that he wants a fresh challenge and feels more valued by United.
Manchester United have been tracking him closely, and the club is now prepared to put serious money on the table to get the deal done. The transfer is expected to hit around £70 million with add-ons, a figure that would place Paquetá among the Premier League’s most expensive South American arrivals. United’s hierarchy reportedly believe he is the missing piece in the midfield — a player capable of bringing creativity, resilience, and balance to a department that has struggled for years.
Vinicius Jr’s emotional reaction only added extra layers to an already dramatic transfer story. While some Real Madrid supporters rushed to defend him and labelled Paquetá’s decision a betrayal, others pointed out that no player is obligated to join a particular club just because of friendships. On the other side of Europe, Manchester United fans treated Vinicius’s frustration almost like a confirmation of Paquetá’s quality, celebrating the chaos as proof that their club is securing a top-level signing.
With negotiations reaching their final stage, Manchester United are now working on the final details to wrap up the deal ahead of the January window. Real Madrid, despite their disappointment, are expected to withdraw quietly since Paquetá has made his stance unmistakably clear. Unless something unexpected happens, he will become the next Brazilian star to walk into Old Trafford, turning down Madrid and even Vinicius Jr’s personal appeal to chase a new chapter in England.
