Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has offered up an update on striker Endrick with the Brazilian linked with a January move. The teenager is yet to make an appearance for the Spanish giants in any competition under Alonso having struggled for regular game time last season following his arrival from Brasileirao giants Palmeiras with a temporary January move rumoured.
Getty Images SportAlonso yet to call upon Endrick
Endrick has made a handful of matchday squads for Real Madrid but is yet to feature for Los Blancos in any competition this season, last pulling on a Real Madrid shirt under Carlo Ancelotti back in May as the Liga giants beat Sevilla on the penultimate weekend of the campaign. Xabi Alonso, though, is yet to use the Brazilian in any capacity with Gonzalo Garcia preferred as Kylian Mbappe's deputy.
Even then, Garcia's game time has been limited. The 21-year-old has registered just 91 minutes of league action despite shining at the Club World Cup, scoring four goals across six appearances up until their 4-0 semi-final defeat at the hands of Champions League winners PSG.
Garcia, like Endrick, has also been linked with a January exit as the two young strikers look to garner regular playing time in the second half of the season. However, Alonso has moved to quash talk that the duo will depart next year.
AdvertisementReal Madrid pair unlikely to leave
Ahead of Real Madrid's game against Getafe on Sunday, Alonso was asked about the possibility of both Endrick and Garcia departing in January, stating: "I'm not thinking about it at the moment, it's not on my mind."
Alonso was also adamant that neither Endrick or Garcia had "asked to leave this winter", adding: "Both are ready to play. It's a position where competition is fierce." Marseille have been linked with a move for Endrick, where he'd link up with Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang under Roberto De Zerbi.
A move to PSG has also been mooted, with ESPN Brazil reporting a deal that would see Endrick move to Paris and Fabian Ruiz sign for Real Madrid was in the pipeline. Ruiz was admired by former boss Ancelotti, though a player exchange looks unlikely at this stage.
Getty Images SportEndrick has Premier League suitors
Ligue 1 pair Marseille and PSG aren't the only sides rumoured to be interested in Endrick, with Premier League teams also believed to be keen on the young striker. Manchester United and West Ham have emerged as potential destinations for the 19-year-old as the English pair seek to bolster their forward options.
United are looking to bring in cover and competition for summer signing Benjamin Sesko with Joshua Zirkzee struggling for minutes in his second season at Old Trafford. Nicklas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson, meanwhile, have scored just one league goal between them for the Hammers this season as West Ham look to get their campaign really up and running when they face Brentford on Monday night.
Endrick is looking to garner some minutes in the New Year as he eyes up a 2026 World Cup spot. The young forward has made 14 appearances for Brazil, but has featured just the once for the South American powerhouse in 2025.
Brazil's mixed form under Ancelotti
Brazil have struggled for form since Ancelotti took over the reins earlier in the year. While the Selecao secured a World Cup 2026 spot, they flattered to deceive in qualifying, finishing 10 points behind rivals Argentina, who they lost 4-1 to in March.
In addition, Ancelotti has overseen just three wins from his six matches so far as Brazil beat Paraguay, Chile and South Korea. However, they also lost to Bolivia and Japan and didn't look wholly convincing in victories over the latter.
Competition is hardly rife for the striker spot for the Brazil national team either, with Ancelotti able to call upon Richarlison, Matheus Cunha and Igor Jesus on the frontline. Endrick, then, feels an increase in game time in the New Year will significantly boost his chances of making the Brazil World Cup squad in North America next summer.
When called upon for Real Madrid last season, however, Endrick struggled for consistency as he scored just once in La Liga and once in the Champions League for the Spanish powerhouse. Los Blancos will look to go back to the top of the table when they face Getafe on Sunday having been leapfrogged into top spot by Barcelona on Saturday afternoon.