Endrick assesses next move as Real Madrid’s forward plans take shape

Endrick is seriously considering leaving Real Madrid on loan after the club agreed to sign Carlos Espi, with the Brazil forward seeking regular first-team football at a side competing in Europe.

The 20-year-old is already listening to offers and wants his next club to provide a guaranteed starting role. His preferred destination would be a team involved in the Champions League, although participation in any European competition would meet his requirements.

Endrick enjoyed a productive loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais last season, a period that ultimately helped him earn the opportunity to play at the World Cup. He is now considering another temporary move after learning that his prospects at Real Madrid could be limited by the club’s reshaped attacking options.

According to AS, Jose Mourinho has left the final decision to Endrick, but the player is aware of how he is likely to fit into the manager’s plans. The situation is understood to resemble the one involving Gonzalo Garcia.

Mourinho initially wanted Gonzalo Garcia to remain with the squad and rejected attempts to send him elsewhere. However, he was also clear with the player that securing a regular starting position would be impossible. Once Gonzalo Garcia’s move to Fulham was confirmed, Mourinho asked the club to sign Espi.

The Portuguese manager regards Endrick as more naturally suited to the central striker position than the right wing, where he played during his time at Olympique Lyonnais. At the same time, Mourinho accepts that Endrick does not possess all the characteristics traditionally associated with a classic number nine.

That assessment leaves Endrick as the third-choice attacking option behind Kylian Mbappe and Espi. Competition for a place on the right is also expected to be intense, with Ousmane Diomande joining the squad and Ibrahim Diaz and Bernardo Silva available. Rodrygo could provide another option once he has recovered from injury.

As a result, Endrick’s immediate future at the Santiago Bernabeu appears uncertain. The former Palmeiras player is examining the proposals available to him before making a final decision on whether to remain in Madrid or move elsewhere for the season.

Olympique Lyonnais offered the type of opportunity Endrick is looking for during his previous loan spell. In France, he made a strong start to the campaign, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in 21 appearances.

Roma and Aston Villa have now shown interest in signing him, and both clubs satisfy the conditions Endrick has set for a potential move. Their interest gives the Brazilian a choice between two sides capable of offering European football and a more prominent role than he is currently expected to receive at Real Madrid.

For Real Madrid, another loan is considered the best solution. The club would otherwise risk seeing a substantial investment fail to deliver the intended return after signing Endrick from Palmeiras two years ago for an initial 35m euros, with a further 25m euros potentially due in add-ons.

Real Madrid’s total expenditure on the forward has now reached close to 80m euros when the transfer fee, commissions, wages and bonuses are included. The club therefore wants his next move to be managed carefully.

To help complete a loan agreement, Real Madrid is considering paying part of Endrick’s salary, which is more than 5m euros net per year. A similar arrangement was used in the case of Franco Mastantuono.