Real Madrid News
Real Madrid leading Barcelona in the race to sign €60 million teenage prodigy – report
Last week, Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez made headlines by confirming the club’s interest in Endrick.
However, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are not very confident in their pursuit of the youngster and believe that the player has already committed to another club in the form of Real Madrid.
This comes after reports that many clubs have already made a move to sign the Palmeiras starlet, who has recently made his professional breakthrough at the age of just 16.
PSG, for one, have reportedly tabled an offer of around €50 million, including variables, in their attempts to sign Endrick. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have continued to keep close track of the youngster, even though they are yet to make an official bid for the player.
The report suggests Endrick is tilting towards a move to Santiago Bernabeu. It appears he is favoring a union with some of his compatriots such as Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Rodrygo.
Real Madrid have indeed developed a reputation for nurturing young Brazilian talents in recent years. If everything goes well, the club are in a good position to sign the Palmeiras whizkid in the near future.
However, it remains to be seen whether Los Blancos are willing to flush out the €60 million release clause amount for the services of the Brazilian sensation, knowing he will not be eligible to move to Europe until 2024.
But it must be pointed out that the club had implemented the same formula in their capture of Vinicius and Rodrygo. Given the way Endrick has been performing at Palmeiras, it will not come as a surprise to see them replicate a similar strategy.
Barcelona, for their part, are unlikely to make a move for the 16-year-old, knowing the player has committed to other entities and given their own financial turmoil.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid have two objectives for the upcoming summer transfer window. The centre-forward and the right-wing position are seen as the two positions to be reinforced but no decision has been made yet about making a move.
This comes over and above the Merengues’ pre-existing need for new midfielders and full-backs in the coming windows.
At first sight, it may appear that Los Blancos are well stacked in the final third. In Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes, they have three starting quality players who are well-complemented by the likes of Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde.
Yet, Vinicius is the only player on the aforementioned list who can boast of a starting role in a fixed position for at least the next decade.
There is worry over the centre-forward role considering Benzema’s lack of form and fitness throughout the current campaign. With the Ballon d’Or winner already 35, the club need a young reinforcement soon which is evident with the team’s struggle for goals this term.
Los Blancos have already invested heavily in Endrick in this regard. However, that has not stopped them from following established options like Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland as their Brazilian wonderkid will not arrive until 2024.
The right wing is also understaffed despite the presence of young Rodrygo and Fede Valverde. The duo have no dearth of talent but have not managed to click on the wing as well as the manager would have liked.
Thus, it remains to be seen as to who the club targets to strengthen the wing and aim to stretch the play. Given the heavy investment planned for Jude Bellingham, a low-cost option is likely to be considered.
