Arsenal have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Real Madrid forward Endrick over a potential January move.
According to TEAMtalk, the Gunners have maintained contact with his camp and are ready to offer the 20-year-old a fresh start on loan, with an option to make the deal permanent. Real Madrid, on the other hand, would rather sanction a straight loan and keep full control of a player they still see as part of their long-term plans.
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Endrick has started just one La Liga match this season, and he has spent the whole of Madrid’s recent Clásico win over Barcelona on the bench. That decision is said to have gone down badly with the forward and his camp, which is why alternative options are being explored before the winter window opens.
José Mourinho wants him to stay. President Florentino Pérez is also said to remain a supporter, but he has been unwilling to impose his view on the coaching staff, leaving the manager to decide how much the youngster plays. Endrick is under contract until June 2030.
Arsenal are not the only club interested. AC Milan and Roma are both pushing for a loan without a buy option, the format Madrid prefer, and it is the same arrangement that took Endrick to Lyon last season, where he scored eight goals and set up eight more in 21 appearances across all competitions.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham were among the Premier League clubs who asked about him in the summer, according to the same report.
Why Arsenal are targeting a striker
Arsenal have been looking to sign a new attacker for months. The same report claims that Arteta wants both a left-sided attacker and a centre-forward in January, and Endrick’s ability to play through the middle or off the right makes him a fit for either role.
The need shows in the numbers. Kai Havertz has been Arteta’s first choice at No. 9 but has not scored since the 2-1 win over Chelsea in early September. Viktor Gyokeres is still without a Premier League start this season and has one goal in 11 outings, that coming in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup exit to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town.
Arteta, asked about Havertz’s output ahead of the Liverpool game, said (via Goal):
“Full trust on him and what he’s doing.”
Up next for the Gunners is a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday (November 1).
Edited by Vignesh Raja
