By Conor Hogan
**West Ham United have been linked with an ambitious loan move for Real Madrid wondered** **Kendrick, aa he looks of more game time ahead of the World Cup.**
The year was 2010 – Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” was ruling the charts, the Jabulani football was ruling the World Cup; and West Ham were in for a young star ruling Brazilian football.
In July of that year, the Hammers bid just over £12 million for Santos’ teenage sensation Neymar. However, the Brazilian side wanted closer to £20 million, a valuation never matched by the Irons.
Neymar went on to have a decent career – he won a UEFA Champions League trophy, two Spanish league titles, five French league titles and is widely considered one of the most influential players of the 21st century – but we’ll never know what he could’ve achieved under the leadership of Avram Grant at Upton Park.
However, fifteen years later, the Irons have another opportunity to sign a young Brazilian star – Endrick of Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old signed for Los Blancos in 2024, after establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world football at Palmeiras. But since his move to the Spanish capital, Endrick has been restricted to just 352 league minutes – Niclas Füllkrug has played more minutes this season alone.
The forward is looking to gain minutes ahead of the World Cup in the summer. If he continues to get a lack of minutes in Madrid he won’t make the 25-man squad for the trip to the US, Canada and Mexico.
But now it is rumoured that the Hammers are interested in a loan signing for the Brazilian, which would see him link up with national compatriot Lucas Paquetá and former Palmeiras teammate Luis Guilherme.
Whilst Guilherme has struggled for form and minutes in East London, Endrick could be a shrewd acquisition. He’s a young, pacy striker with top-level experience for club and country.
His five goals in six Copa Del Rey appearances last season show that he can be prolific when required, and he may be able to get the best out of Paquetá, who has struggled for form recently.
Of course, the transfer window doesn’t open until January, and West Ham are notorious for having quiet winter windows, but Endrick’s reported €80,000-a-week wage is less than the Irons have paid for weaker players.
Given the struggles of Füllkrug and Callum Wilson, Endrick could provide a fresh alternative for Nuno’s low-block, counter-attacking system.