Endrick is a striker who needs regular first-team football.
Fans bore witness to his effectiveness when utilised correctly, with the Brazilian scoring five goals and providing seven assists in Ligue 1 while on loan at Lyon last season. The form saw Endrick rewarded with a spot in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup.
However, he’s a striker who simply cannot remain at Real Madrid if he wishes to maintain his development. Endrick was already second-choice to Kylian Mbappe. He’s dropped further down the pecking order following the arrival of Carlos Espi. Yan Diomande’s signing should also push Endrick towards the Bernabeu exit.
But where is the best possible destination for the 20-year-old? Minutes will again be hard to come by in Madrid. He needs to be playing regularly, and for a team with European football on the menu.
Where could Endrick be playing next season?
Dream: Real Madrid
The dream decision for Endrick is to remain at Real Madrid and make a name for himself. He’s a player the club rate highly. After all, they spent upwards of £30million to bring the forward to Spain from Brazilian side Palmeiras back in 2024.
“It’s a dream come true to be here,” Endrick said following his 2024 arrival. He’d love nothing more than to make it work in Spain. The issue is that the talented youngster just won’t get the game time required to achieve greatness.
New manager Jose Mourinho is unlikely to start Endrick ahead of Mbappe or Espi in his favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. The dream for Endrick is to succeed at Real Madrid. In truth, remaining with Los Blancos will do little more than stunt his growth.
Realistic: Aston Villa
Aston Villa are believed to be keen on a temporary move for Endrick. The Villans are a tad short in the final third following Donyell Malen’s January exit to Roma. Morgan Rogers’ summer switch to Chelsea weakens them further. Unai Emery is reportedly open to Tammy Abraham’s sale just six months after his arrival.
It does mean there is space for Endrick in the Villa setup. Abraham’s exit would leave just Ollie Watkins and the inexperienced Brian Madjo as Emery’s only striker options. Endrick, though, is more than just a No.9, also featuring out wide for Lyon last season.
Villa have already gone some way to easing their attacking shortcomings with the additions of Johan Manzambi and Alejandro Garnacho, the latter joining on loan. Even so, Endrick’s versatility would be a welcomed with open arms by Emery. Furthermore, he’d gain crucial minutes in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.
Combined with Villa’s Champions League qualification, then he’d have the chance to showcase his talent on the biggest stage. It would be a huge surprise if this move didn’t come to fruition in the coming weeks.
Wildcard: Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur remain in the market for attacking reinforcements. Spurs have strengthened their defence and midfield, yet the final third remains overlooked. Surely, it’s only a matter of time before the north London side make a statement signing or two.
The issue will be whether Tottenham are keen on exploring the loan market once again. They did so with Randal Kolo Muani, which proved an unmitigated disaster. Endrick, though, has a bigger point to prove. He would be an improvement on the Frenchman and, importantly, an upgrade on both Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.
Conversely, Tottenham’s shortlist seems to be set exclusively to ‘Premier League’. All six summer signings were on respective Premier League books’ last season. Savinho and Cody Gakpo, of Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, are the reported top targets.
At this stage, Tottenham remain a wildcard option. Even so, supporters, desperate for a ‘bomba’, would likely welcome a move for Endrick.
Squawka Suggests: Aston Villa
A move to Emery’s side is a bit of a no brainer. Villa are looking to maximise the loan market to ease high-profile summer exits. Endrick is experienced in one of Europe’s top leagues owing to his Ligue 1 spell last season.
He featured in the Europa League, too. The Villans’ Champions League qualification would allow Endrick to shine on the grandest stage and, potentially, allow his Real Madrid dream to ultimately become reality.
While a short-term solution to a potential long-term problem, Endrick would be a fine stop gap for Villa in the final third.