Endrick could ask to leave Real Madrid on loan in January if he cannot secure more regular playing time, despite the club’s preference to keep the Brazilian forward.
No decision has been made about his future, but the 20-year-old is expected to assess his situation over the coming weeks. Real Madrid believe he will get opportunities under Jose Mourinho, who resisted interest from other clubs in the summer and said he wants Endrick to remain at the Bernabeu.
Endrick’s route into the team is blocked by Kylian Mbappe’s presence as a centre-forward, while Federico Valverde, Diomande, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz are all senior players who provide competition on the right.
The forward raised questions about his future at a Brazil press conference on Tuesday.
“I just want to play, to be happy and help my team-mates,” Endrick said. “To score goals, provide assists, like at Lyon, one of the best things to have happened to me and one of the happiest times I’ve had.
“I don’t know what will happen in January. That’s in God’s hands. I only ask to do what’s best for my career. Whatever happens, happens. I’ll keep my feet on the ground and do my best. Madrid is a wonderful city, but I’ll always do everything I can to advance my career.”
A return to Lyon has not been confirmed, but another loan remains possible. Roma and Milan are among the clubs that retain an interest in him. Aston Villa and Roma were also among the strongest contenders for his signature last summer.
Reports linking him with Sporting CP and Arsenal have been dismissed by sources familiar with the situation.
Mourinho was a major reason why Endrick stayed at Madrid this season. In August, the manager said: “He’s a player I really like, who has received so many inquiries from clubs about a loan or a sale. I haven’t wanted to sell him because I like him and enjoy working with this young player who has significant talent.”
He repeated that position in an interview with TNT Sports Brazil in October. “Whoever is interested in him is going to have to fight very hard with me, because I don’t believe that he needs to go out on loan and that he will be a huge success here,” he said.
Mourinho had told Endrick before the season that he would have opportunities both through the middle and on the right. The club also value the depth he provides to the squad and are less willing to sanction a loan than they were last year.
Endrick joined Madrid from Palmeiras in July 2024 in a deal worth up to €60m. He struggled for regular minutes under Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso before moving to Lyon for the second half of last season.
Madrid have already paid €47.5m of the agreed fee for the Brazilian and would value him above the original €60m figure if they considered a permanent sale. He is under contract until June 2030.
