Real Madrid ‘finalising’ first January transfer with ‘secret’ clause

Robin Bairner

13 Nov 2025 08:52 GMT
4 min read

Real Madrid’s first piece of business for the January transfer window is nearly complete.

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Xabi Alonso’s side spent €168 million in the summer recruiting talent, with Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono and Trent Alexander-Arnold the four main arrivals at the Bernabeu.

While there is no immediate plan for any more signings in January, Alonso is set to trim his squad, with Endrick poised to be loaned to Lyon in a deal that has come about due to Mastantuono’s quick start to life in Madrid.

Current ETV

Endrick

F (C)

Real Madrid

Endrick

F (C)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€40.1M - €49M

While Endrick had opportunities under Carlo Ancelotti, the 19-year-old Brazil striker has not had those same chances with Alonso, playing just 1% of the available minutes under the former Bayer Leverkusen coach.

Globo Esporte reports that he will now be sent away on loan to get the first-team opportunities that he has been missing.

Endrick is “finalising” a contract with Lyon, with the full agreement expected to be signed in December. It will be a six-month loan deal with no purchase option.

© IMAGO - Endrick: Wants a loan away from Real Madrid to get first-team football

The Brazilian report indicates that Real Madrid are keeping a “secret” ace up their sleeves in this deal.

“The negotiation includes clauses that will allow Real Madrid to withhold Endrick’s release or bring him back in case of an emergency due to injuries to their forwards while the transfer window is open,” it states.

Even if a deal is signed, in other words, the door will be open for Endrick to return to the Bernabeu before the end of January.

Endrick turned down Man Utd – here’s why

The agreement is set to disappoint Manchester United, who had been linked with the youngster as a possible replacement for the injured Benjamin Sesko.

Indeed, Endrick turned down the chance to move to Old Trafford because he wants to play a leading role for a club, aware that he needs playing time to get into Carlo Ancelotti’s highly competitive Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup next summer.

Lyon are guaranteed to provide him with this chance; at Man Utd, it would have been much more of a gamble.

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