Liverpool Pursues Real Madrid's Endrick Amid Winger Search
Liverpool’s search for firepower has taken them all the way to the Bernabeu – and hit a brick wall called Florentino Perez.
With the club determined to bring in two wingers before the window closes, the recruitment team has been working through a tight shortlist. Bradley Barcola remains the headline act. Personal terms with the PSG wide man have been in place for some time, and Liverpool see him as a priority addition.
For weeks, it looked like Barcola’s teammate Ibrahim Mbaye would follow him to Anfield. He too has an agreement on personal terms with the club. The problem is PSG’s price. French journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that the Ligue 1 champions want €70m, a figure Liverpool are unwilling to meet. Andoni Iraola’s side are understood to value the deal closer to €50m, and that gap has stalled any progress.
So the focus has swung south to the coast. Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh is now the preferred partner to Barcola in Liverpool’s ideal scenario. Two offers have already gone in, the latest worth around £60m. Brighton have refused to budge so far, but with Minteh having agreed personal terms with Liverpool, sources expect that a third bid in the £65m-£70m range could finally move the dial.
While those winger negotiations rumble on, Liverpool have been working a second track. They want more than just width. They want another central forward option.
At present, Alexander Isak is Iraola’s only fit senior striker, with Hugo Ekitike sidelined by a ruptured Achilles until roughly the turn of the year. That lack of depth has pushed the club to explore opportunities across Europe – including one of the most hyped young No.9s on the planet.
Liverpool knock on Real Madrid’s door for Endrick
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool made a direct approach to Real Madrid over Brazilian striker Endrick. The 18-year-old, who only joined Madrid this summer, has already attracted a queue of suitors.
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, detailed how the last few days have unfolded. Italian sides Roma and AC Milan were first to test the waters, contacting Endrick’s camp to check whether a loan deal might be possible. Aston Villa also called Madrid two weeks ago. Each time, the answer was blunt.
“No chance. No chance. No chance,” was how Romano summed up Madrid’s stance.
Liverpool then entered the conversation. They explored multiple options: a straight loan, a loan with a buy option, and even a permanent transfer built around a substantial proposal. Every scenario had the same outcome.
According to Romano, both president Florentino Perez and head coach Jose Mourinho have decided that Endrick stays. Madrid want him in their squad, wearing the No.9 shirt, fighting for minutes in the white of Real rather than gaining them elsewhere.
As of now, there is no opening. No negotiation. No softening of Madrid’s line.
Romano did leave one door slightly ajar – but only for later in the season. If, by the end of December, Endrick is not playing regularly, Madrid could revisit the idea of a loan, similar to his spell at Lyon last season. For the moment, though, Liverpool and the rest have been told to look elsewhere.
So Liverpool press on. Two wingers targeted, a marquee No.9 firmly out of reach, and a transfer window ticking down. The squad needs goals. The market is unforgiving. Who blinks first?
