Liverpool Pursues Endrick Amidst Transfer Challenges
Liverpool have tested Real Madrid’s resolve over Brazilian prodigy Endrick as part of an aggressive late-window push to reshape their forward line – but the European champions have slammed the door shut.
Liverpool’s wide rebuild hits resistance
Liverpool’s plan is clear: two new wingers before the window closes. Bradley Barcola remains the priority. Personal terms with the PSG winger have been in place for some time, and Liverpool are working off the assumption he will arrive.
For weeks, it looked like Barcola would be joined by his PSG teammate Ibrahim Mbaye. The 21-year-old has also agreed personal terms with the Reds, but the deal has hit a wall at club level. PSG want around €70m. Liverpool, according to French reporter Fabrice Hawkins, are not prepared to go beyond €50m.
That price gap has pushed Fenway Sports Group to pivot. The focus has switched to Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh as the second wide option.
Liverpool have already sent two offers to the south coast, the latest worth a combined £60m. Brighton are holding firm, but with Minteh having agreed personal terms with Liverpool, the feeling among those close to the talks is that a third bid in the region of £65m-£70m could finally break Brighton’s resistance.
Beyond the wings: a bold move for Endrick
While the headlines have centred on wide players, Liverpool’s recruitment team have also been probing the centre-forward market.
Andoni Iraola currently has just one fit senior striker: Alexander Isak. Hugo Ekitike is sidelined with a ruptured Achilles and is not expected back until around the turn of the year. That lack of depth through the middle has sharpened Liverpool’s search.
Into that context comes a striking move: a call to Real Madrid about Endrick.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Liverpool approached Madrid to explore a deal for the 18-year-old Brazilian.
“The story around Endrick over the last two or three days is actually true,” Romano said, detailing a flurry of interest from across Europe. Roma and AC Milan contacted the player’s camp to check whether a loan could be possible. Aston Villa also made an enquiry two weeks ago.
Each time, Real Madrid gave the same blunt answer: no. No loan. No negotiations. No opening.
Liverpool then stepped in with a more ambitious idea. Romano explained that the club asked whether there was any chance of signing Endrick on loan with a buy option, or even on a permanent transfer built around a big proposal. Liverpool, he said, “explored the possibility to sign Endrick.”
The response from Madrid’s hierarchy was decisive. President Florentino Perez and head coach Jose Mourinho are aligned: Endrick stays.
“There is nothing in terms of chances as of today,” Romano reported. Real Madrid do not want the player to leave. They want him to remain at the club, wearing the number nine shirt and fighting for his place.
January watch on the Bernabeu bench
The stance is firm for now, but not entirely closed for the season.
Romano stressed that Madrid’s position could be revisited if Endrick struggles for minutes over the first half of the campaign. Should the teenager find himself on the fringes by late December, a loan similar to last season’s spell at Lyon may return to the table.
“If at the end of December, Christmas time, Endrick is not playing on a regular basis, in that case we cannot close doors to another loan for Endrick as it was at Lyon last season,” Romano said.
For the moment, though, the message is unambiguous. Endrick is staying at Real Madrid, ready to battle for his place and justify that number nine shirt.
Liverpool will have to look elsewhere for a striker – while the clock ticks on their twin chase for Barcola and Minteh.
