Endrick’s Real Madrid place under threat after surprise Espi deal

Endrick’s future at Real Madrid has been reopened for discussion after the club signed Carlos Espi from Levante, despite Gonzalo Garcia’s departure for Fulham.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid had appeared to have settled on keeping Endrick only a few months ago. However, the arrival of Espi has increased competition in an already crowded attack and raised fresh doubts about whether the Brazil forward will remain at the club.

Endrick returned to training last Wednesday after spending six months on loan at Lyon. He scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 21 appearances during that spell, contributing to a goal every 102 minutes.

The situation is not entirely negative for the 19-year-old. Removing Kylian Mbappe from the starting line-up appears unrealistic, but the expected attacking partnership had been moving towards a combination of Mbappe and Endrick.

Endrick was also not considered completely out of contention for minutes on the right wing. That gave him several possible routes into the team, although none was expected to be straightforward.

The arrival of Espi has now changed the picture.

Real Madrid moved quickly to sign the 21-year-old striker from Levante after the club gave the deal approval on Thursday evening. The agreement was completed when Real Madrid paid the €25m release clause in Espi’s contract.

Standing at 1.94 metres, Espi gives Real Madrid a different tactical option to Endrick alongside Mbappe, particularly because of his height. His arrival has therefore restored congestion in the forward line, adding another complication to Endrick’s prospects.

A further loan is now viewed as the most likely solution. Real Madrid are not currently considering selling Endrick, while a temporary move would follow the same path being planned for Franco Mastantuono.

No final decision has been made by Real Madrid’s board or manager Jose Mourinho. Endrick wants to stay at the club, but he has begun to experience doubts about his position, concerns that have emerged as the available options in front of him have narrowed.

The Brazilian remains under contract at Real Madrid until 2030, meaning any move would require negotiations. The club also needs to reduce the size of its squad.

Real Madrid currently have 24 first-team players and still need to complete two deals for Diomande and Rodrygo. As a result, departures are required, with attention already focused on players including Asensio and Camavinga.

Even so, Endrick’s name remains among those who could leave, potentially on loan, despite Gonzalo Garcia’s move to Fulham having created an opening in the squad.