Real Madrid News
Real Madrid closing in on the capture of Brazilian whizkid
Endrick has been dominating the transfer market for a while now, with almost every top club in Europe competing to secure his signature.
Real Madrid were among the clubs keen on luring the young Brazilian forward to Santiago Bernabeu. And according to a fresh report from Diario SPORT, the reigning European champions appear to have succeeded in their pursuit.
The report suggests Real Madrid have finalised almost everything, with Palmeiras giving the go-ahead for the transfer. The Brazilian outfit have reportedly accepted a bid worth €40 million, along with added variables.
For a large part of Endrick’s transfer saga, Real Madrid were merely an outsider. It was Paris Saint-Germain who had submitted an official bid. Even Barcelona were given the opportunity to sign the player, but they rejected the opportunity, primarily due to the financial implications of the deal.
Real Madrid swooped in at the last minute by speeding up the operation. A major reason why Los Blancos went through with the deal is because of the improbability of signing one of the club’s top target Erling Haaland.
Real Madrid, therefore, have settled for Endrick, who will join the camp in 2024, when he turns 18. The Brazilian is currently 16 and has been already enjoying a major breakthrough in professional football. He has notably netted three times in seven league matches, along with an assist.
Although the Whites are not expected to have Endrick at their disposal until 2024, the signing of the 16-year-old whizkid is indicative of the club’s faith in Brazilian talents. And with players such as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao already making quite a mark in the first-team, Real Madrid will hope Endrick follows suit in the years to come.
According to MARCA, Eder Militao is seen as the undisputed leader of the Real Madrid defence, thanks to his ‘impeccable’ level of performances. The 25-year-old’s standing in the team has forced a duel between David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger for the second centre-back slot.
Militao arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, joining from FC Porto in a deal worth €50 million. While he made a slow start to life in Spain, the Brazilian slowly grew in stature from his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Militao established himself as a permanent fixture in the backline for the Merengues and was a standout performer last season as they won the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
The 25-year-old has carried on in the same vein of form this season as well, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid, even chipping in with six goals.
The Brazilian international is seen as one of the best centre-backs in the world currently, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sharing that opinion.
“I may lose credibility if I say Vinicius and Militão are the best striker and defender in the world respectively but it’s the truth. I am honest. Militão lacks nothing,” he had said last month.
Militao is not only viewed as the leader of the Real Madrid defence, but has also grown into a leader within the locker room as well, with the player being loved and fully supported by his teammates.
Militao’s presence has meant that Alaba and Rudiger have had to battle it out for the lone centre-back slot. The former had enjoyed a stunning season last time out after joining from Bayern Munich in 2021, but has struggled with injuries and fitness problems this term.
As for Rudiger, the German arrived last summer from Chelsea and started out slow, but has grown in confidence and stature, especially in recent months. So much so that, his signing is already being regarded as a success within the club.
In Militao, Real Madrid undoubtedly have a long-term fixture at the heart of the defence. But with Rudiger and Alaba in their thirties, the Merengues must look to bring in one more player who can take over from them in the near future and can form a partnership with Militao.
