He's chosen! Endrick gives Milan the green light as his priority destination
For weeks, the clubs have circled. Now the man himself has spoken. Endrick has made his preference crystal clear in the race for his signature, and it is a major boost for Milan's January plans.
Details: According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 20-year-old Brazilian has indicated to AC Milan that if the opportunity arises to leave Real Madrid on loan in January, the Rossoneri would be his first choice, an initial but significant yes from a player who has made his frustration known. The competition for places at the Bernabéu can only be described as fierce, with Mbappé, Vinícius, Bellingham, Diomandé, Brahim Díaz and the returning Rodrygo all ahead of him in the queue, and Endrick's season is currently summarised by just four minutes of football, a substitute cameo against Elche on September 15. The Brazilian wants regular football to protect his place in Ancelotti's national team, and his departure in the winter window would be almost a certainty if the situation does not change.
Milan's pursuit of Endrick is no impulse. The Rossoneri tried to sign him on loan in the summer, only for José Mourinho to intervene forcefully and declare that Endrick is not moving, forcing the Italians to bring in Omari Hutchinson from Nottingham Forest instead. Now the landscape has shifted: with Alexis Saelemaekers injured for four months, Rúben Amorim's squad numerically needs reinforcement in attacking midfield and up front, and Endrick would arrive as a Swiss army knife, capable of playing as a second striker alongside Gonçalo Ramos, as a right winger in a 4-2-3-1 next to Pulisic, or even as a centre-forward. The strongest card in Milan's hand is not tactical, however, but relational: owner Gerry Cardinale enjoys excellent ties with Roc Nation, the agency that represents Endrick, a partnership dating back to 2020, and that connection could prove decisive against the competition.
It's worth noting that the competition remains live. Roma, where Gian Piero Gasperini would gladly take him and Wesley has personally lobbied his Brazil teammate, plan to use their Champions League visit to the Bernabéu on October 14 to probe the situation directly, while Aston Villa are also monitoring in England. Real Madrid still regard Endrick as part of their long-term plans and would only sanction a loan, without a purchase option, just as they did with his €1 million spell at Lyon last season, where he scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 21 games. The final decision rests with the Bernabéu boardroom, but for the first time, the player's own voice has entered the equation, and it is speaking in Italian.
Reminder: He's not done with Lyon! Endrick's former club wants him back on loan.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
