In a significant blow to several Premier League clubs, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Real Madrid's highly-rated young striker, Endrick, has set his sights firmly on a move to France.
The Brazilian prodigy, who has struggled for game time under manager Xabi Alonso this season, is expected to depart the Bernabeu on loan in the January transfer window. Despite concrete interest from England, his absolute priority is a switch to Olympique Lyonnais.
Premier League Hopes Dwindle for Brazilian Talent
West Ham United had been actively pursuing a deal for the 19-year-old, with Spanish reports even suggesting the Hammers had made direct contact with Real Madrid over a potential loan. The East London club, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, is desperate to add firepower to their squad as they battle to avoid a relegation scrap this term.
Their striking options have proven problematic. The £27 million investment in Niclas Fullkrug in 2024 has not paid off, with the German's agent indicating he wants to leave. Furthermore, summer signing Callum Wilson has not been a preferred choice for Nuno.
Manchester United, Brighton, and Aston Villa were also named as clubs monitoring Endrick's situation at Madrid, where he has been an unused substitute in six consecutive league matches. His only appearance this campaign came against Valencia last weekend, a stark contrast to the 37 appearances he made across all competitions last season.
Why Lyon Holds the Key for Endrick
According to Romano, who posted an update on social media platform X on Friday evening, the player is tempted by the OL opportunity. The proposed deal is a straight loan until June 2026.
This preference is bolstered by several factors. French publication L'Equipe reported that there have already been direct talks between Endrick and Lyon's Portuguese-speaking manager, Paulo Fonseca. The chance to work under a manager who shares his native language is understood to be a major draw for the young forward.
Furthermore, Lyon themselves are in dire need of a goalscorer, exemplified by their recent 0-0 draw with Brest. This presents a clear pathway to regular first-team football for Endrick, something that was not guaranteed at the linked Premier League clubs. Real Madrid are reportedly keen to have the temporary move finalised ready for January 1st.
What This Means for West Ham and Others
Romano's confirmation solidifies the growing belief that Endrick's future, for the next 18 months at least, lies in Ligue 1. This development forces West Ham, Manchester United, and Aston Villa to look elsewhere in their search for attacking reinforcements.
The January window is a notoriously challenging time to conduct major transfer business, and the Hammers will now have to swiftly identify and pursue alternative targets to back their manager in the second half of the season. The pursuit of Endrick appears to be over before it truly began for the Premier League suitors.
