Why Chelsea have been handed a boost in Endrick transfer

Suraj Radia

• 22 Sep 2022 15:18 CDT
• 4 min read

Barcelona are the latest side to make an attempt to sign Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, with representatives for the 16-year-old recently meeting with the Catalan outfit to discuss a move.

However, Barca could face a stumbling block in their pursuit of the Palmeiras teenager as the Brazilian side are reluctant to sell to a Spanish club due to the amount of taxes they would have to pay on any fee.

Spanish authorities would take 15% of Endrick's €60 million release clause, making Palmeiras miss out on a substantial €9m from the sale, although a deal has not been ruled out.

With Chelsea credited as having a strong interest in Endrick, the Premier League side could have an advantage over Barca and Real Madrid despite the player's reported desire to move to Spain.

Brazilian outlet UOL has claimed there are three scenarios that could see Endrick move to Spain, the first being if the player insists on moving to Real or Barca.

The second situation would be if the move to Spain is simply the best offer, while the third outcome would be if the buying club agrees to pay the 15% tax, preventing Palmeiras from missing out on a significant amount.

Endrick has been touted as generational talent after starring for the youth teams of Palmeiras and Brazil, having scored five goals in six games for his country's under-16s team.

The forward signed his first professional contract this summer after turning 16 and he has been heavily linked with a move to Europe in two years, when he is able to move abroad after turning 18.

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What was said during Barcelona's meeting with Endrick?

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain also have an interest in Endrick but Barcelona met with the teenager's advisors after they flew in from Sao Paolo for talks.

Barca expressed to his agents that Endrick had been monitored by the club for a long time and that they were targeting him after he 'passed every test', according to Spanish outlet AS.

The La Liga side believe Endrick can become one of the best players in the world, following in the steps of Neymar, who became the most expensive Brazilian when he joined Barca from Santos for €88m in 2013.

Endrick is contracted to Palmeiras until 2025 and was named in their squad for the first time as a professional in one of their recent fixtures, however he did not make an appearance.

He is unable to sign a contract with a foreign club until 2024, meaning no deal can be completed until then, which could see more clubs enter the race closer to the time.