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Football Reporting

La Liga

Real Madrid lead race for Endrick: Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal in close pursuit


Palmeiras forward Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa is just 15 years old and yet to play a senior game, but he already has Europe’s top clubs keeping an eye on him and Real Madrid appear to be winning the race to land his signature.

Videos have emerged in recent months showing his exploits at youth level, where he has an impressive scoring record. Most recently, he scored a spectacular overhead kick in the Copinha, a tournament for U20 teams in Sao Paulo.

Palmeiras have big hopes for the youngster, who notched five strikes in three Copinha games in just 90 minutes of playing time, and have tried to keep him out of the limelight. In fact, Endrick was withheld from the team’s Copinha game in order to play a behind-closed-doors bounce game with the first team, who he can’t officially play for until he turns 16 in July.

A 17-million-euro clause

Palmeiras have been increasingly under pressure, from foreign clubs and sponsors – Endrick already has a deal with Nike – for clarification on the youngster’s future. The forward has a 17-million-euro release clause in his academy contract, but cannot be signed by a club outside of Brazil until he is 18-years-old.

Endrick’s list of admirers includes Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, some of whom have already made direct contact with Palmeiras or even held meetings with the player’s family.

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Real Madrid lead the race

While Endrick won’t be able to join any European side for at least another two-and-a-half years, the competition for his signature is already well underway and Los Blancos seem to be winning his favour. Compatriot Vinicius Junior has been in touch and sent him a signed jersey, while his agency, TFM, has good relations with the Madrid club.

Real Madrid, of course, are well accustomed to navigating the intricacies of importing talent from Brazil, with Vinicius being a prime example. Los Blancos agreed a deal worth 45 million euros – 15 million more than his release clause – for Vinicius with Flamengo when he had just turned 17-years-old, with the winger joining a year later.

The Merengue hierarchy know they may need to act just as quickly and manoeuvre just as smartly to land Endrick from Palmeiras. The idea is to pay a similar ‘bonus’ to ensure the deal gets done early, as with Vinicius and Rodrygo, who also a signed a deal at 17 which became effective when he turned 18.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are keeping tabs on the situation, but their economic woes make any move highly unlikely. For Madrid, the real problem is how Endrick fits into their plans, with so many talented youngsters already competing for a spot.





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