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Man Utd signing on? Endrick agents change tune on January transfer
4 min read
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Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid striker Endrick, who faces an uncertain future heading into January.
The Brazil international rarely leaves the headlines. A mercurial talent, Endrick has yet to reach his full potential at Real Madrid, and it is hard to imagine that he will be able to do so if he doesn't actually play.
Getting regular minutes has always been his biggest problem, and this season is no different. Endrick played his first match of the season on matchday six in LaLiga, racking up a grand total of four minutes.
Despite this, he featured prominently for Brazil in the international break and returned to Madrid in high spirits. After being an unused substitute against Villarreal, Endrick appeared to get his big break against AS Roma - ironically, the team that tried to sign him this summer - in Europe.
The 20-year-old produced a goal and an assist as Real Madrid came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3. He was rewarded with a start in the subsequent league game against Sevilla. However, he did not get on the scoresheet and only clocked a couple of minutes against RB Leipzig midweek.
Endrick could leave after all
The youngster simply can't string a consistent run of games together due to the competition at Real Madrid. He has been shoehorned out onto the right wing, which sterilises his attacking potency - he is at his most effective in the box.
Logic would dictate that Endrick will once again have to leave Real Madrid on loan in January, just as he did last season. He needs to play at this stage of his career. However, Jose Mourinho has other ideas.
The manager stepped in when Endrick looked set to join Roma this summer, and he recently suggested that suitors would have to "fight him" to get their hands on the 20-year-old next year. He wants him to stay.
Endrick himself slightly pushed back against Mourinho last week by suggesting that he won't let himself be forced to stay at Real Madrid. "I take it day by day. If I have to leave in January, I'll leave; if I have to stay, I'll stay. I will do whatever God puts in my heart," he said.
Such is the uncertainty around his situation that even the people who represent him are flip-flopping on what the future may hold - a far cry from last year, when it was already clear in October that Endrick would go out on loan in January.
While speaking to Italian media at the start of last week, Roc Nation's head of football Alan Redmond seemed convinced that Endrick would not be on the move in January. Now, however, Roc Nation president Michael Yormack has opened the door to a potential transfer.
"I think it’s a fluid process. I think we have to see how things go from now until the end of the year, before the next transfer window,” Yormack told SportsBoom prior to Endrick's brief cameo against Leipzig.
"Obviously he came in two games ago, scored a late goal [vs Roma], then started the last game [vs Sevilla], so hopefully there’s some momentum for him.
"He’s a super, super talented young man, and the young man wants to play. I visited him a few weeks ago in Madrid; we had a great chat, he’s eager to play, so we’ll see what happens.
"He loves Madrid, he loves the team and his teammates, but at the end of the day, when you think about the lifespan of a career, it’s short, and he wants to maximise it. I think his first choice would be to stay at Real Madrid, but he’s got to play."
Where could Endrick end up?
Endrick has been linked with numerous clubs since the summer. Roma were close to a loan deal and reportedly remain interested. Spanish reports have even suggested that the verbal agreement he had with the Serie A side could easily be revived.
AC Milan have also been linked with a possible move for the Brazilian. They shattered their club record to sign Goncalo Ramos in the summer, but the club are keen to add more bodies. There is added urgency now as the Portuguese is currently injured.
Endrick also has plenty of admirers in the Premier League. Aston Villa, Arsenal and Man Utd have all been associated with the 20-year-old in recent weeks, and the Red Devils in particular will be attentive to his situation.
Man Utd desperately need striker reinforcements following the news that Benjamin Sesko could be sidelined until the new year. There is optimism that the Slovenia international will be back before February, but his fitness issues have ruthlessly exposed a lack of depth.
Endrick could be an ideal signing, although Man Utd would surely be keen to include a purchase option in a loan deal. Big clubs don't tend to do straight loans, and this could spark problems with Real Madrid, who are understood to be reluctant to sell the talented youngster.
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