Endrick Rejects Liverpool Move Amid Mourinho's Influence
Jose Mourinho has spent a career irritating Liverpool from opposing dugouts. Chelsea. Manchester United. Tottenham. Now he’s blocking them again — this time from Madrid.
Endrick unmoved by Liverpool interest
Endrick is reportedly not entertaining the idea of leaving Real Madrid, despite Liverpool testing the waters over a possible move for the Brazil international. The Reds are said to have made an enquiry about his situation shortly after completing the signing of Yan Diomande.
Liverpool were ready to go big. Almost £100million was on the table for the Ivory Coast forward, who eventually chose Madrid over Anfield. That decision, Diomande says, had plenty to do with Mourinho.
“Mourinho got up at five in the morning to talk to me,” he told SportyTV, recalling the moment the deal swung decisively towards Spain. “When Madrid calls you, you can't say no. So I said: ‘If they want me, that's where I'll be.’”
That call has had a knock-on effect for Endrick. Competition in Madrid’s attack has intensified, but according to ESPN, the 19-year-old is happy to fight for his place after a positive summer under Mourinho. The Portuguese coach is said to view him as a flexible weapon across the frontline, not a spare part.
Mourinho and Endrick close ranks
Interest has not been lacking. Both Mourinho and Endrick have reportedly turned down offers from Aston Villa and Roma in recent weeks. Rather than heading out again, the forward has been integrated into pre-season after spending the second half of last season on loan at Lyon.
He responded quickly. Endrick started and scored in his first outing of the summer against Fiorentina, staking an early claim. He then kept his place in friendlies against Deportivo La Coruna and Ferencvaros, before sitting out the most recent run-out.
That absence opened the door for Diomande’s first appearance in white. The former RB Leipzig winger came off the bench for the final half-hour, replacing Brahim Diaz, and has wasted no time underlining how much Mourinho’s backing means to him.
In the same SportyTV interview, Diomande revealed their first exchange in Madrid: “As soon as I arrived, he told me: ‘I promised you that you were going to be part of my team, and here you are.’ And I told him: ‘I'm happy to work with you because you are the best.’
“I can learn a lot from him; he is the right coach to continue my development. I am prepared to die for him.”
That kind of loyalty makes prising players away from Madrid — and from Mourinho — an even tougher task.
Liverpool forced to look elsewhere
With Endrick intent on staying put and Diomande already off the market, Liverpool have been pushed down their attacking shortlist.
The focus has moved to other names. A £50million bid for Yankuba Minteh has already been rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion. The club have also held initial talks over Ibrahim Mbaye and Magnhes Akilouche, though both now find themselves at Paris Saint-Germain.
Akilouche joined Mbaye at PSG, where Liverpool have also been in discussions over Bradley Barcola. The French champions are demanding £140million for the France international, who is understood to have made it clear privately that he wants to join Liverpool.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Said El Mala were also flagged as potential options earlier in the window, but Minteh is the one Liverpool have actually tested with a formal offer.
Mourinho, meanwhile, keeps his forwards close and Liverpool at arm’s length. The old rivalry has a new front: not on the touchline, but in the market.
