Real Madrid News
The inside story of how Real Madrid pulled off Endrick’s transfer – report
Now that it’s official that Endrick will play for Real Madrid from 2024, it’s important to understand how Real Madrid pulled off a deal that also involved a certain Paris-Saint German, a team owned by Qatar Sports Investments.
As reported by Spanish publication Dario SPORT, although Palmeiras decided to keep the price of the transfer ‘confidential’, Real Madrid paid €35 million in fixed while €25 million have been kept as variables.
In all, if the criteria (the specifics of which are still unknown) are met, the fee could go to €60 million and that would make Endrick the biggest sale ever made in Brazilian football.
Real Madrid’s whirlwind
It must be remembered that Endrick is represented by the same agent who also acts for Vinicius Jr. and he wanted to wrap up the former’s transfer to Europe as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Endrick’s contract with Palmeiras was set to expire in 2025, meaning that if the Brazilian team had delayed, they would have lost the bargaining power.
Now, Real Madrid were keeping close tabs on the footballer’s trajectory and it was during the World Cup itself that they made an approach. At the same time, PSG were busy putting their body and soul into the World Cup as it happening in their country.
So in a way, the team from Ligue 1 were waiting for the world event to finish before putting in their heads into Endrick’s deal after having failed with their initial approach of €20 million in November.
Barcelona were not in the picture
Initial reports emerged that Barcelona, too, were eyeing a move but as SPORT claims, the team from Catalonia did not make a move in the first place nor did they make an official offer.
It’s not that Endrick’s camp did not meet with the Blaugrana. In fact, the two were in contact during the World Cup and even the player and his father met Xavi back in February, but the club’s delicate situation with regard to finances practically forced themselves out of the situation.
During the meeting, it was established that even if Barcelona want to make a move, the offer won’t arrive before until next summer. This is where Madrid chipped and this is why Barcelona did not feel betrayed.
In all, it was Madrid’s swift and expeditious approach that made this transfer possible.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
