Endrick had been linked with a move to West Ham.placeholder image
Endrick had been linked with a move to West Ham. | Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to add a striker to his West Ham squad once the January transfer window opens.
West Ham hopes of a potential January transfer swoop for Real Madrid star Endrick continue to dwindle with the player appearing to have his heart set on a move to France.
The winter window is a notoriously difficult time to get business done but the Hammers are expected to back Nuno Espirito Santo to help the manager fight off a relegation scrap this term. Bringing in a striker will be a priority.
The £27 million invested in Niclas Fullkrug in the summer of 2024 has not paid dividends with the German’s agent suggesting that the former Borussia Dortmund man wants away from the London Stadium. Callum Wilson was brought in this summer but has not been preferred by Nuno.
West Ham and Man Utd linked with Real Madrid star
The highly-rated Endrick has struggled for minutes under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid and is tipped to make a January move away from the Bernabeu. The 19-year-old was handed his first outing of the campaign against Valencia last weekend but was an unused substitute in six consecutive league matches following a thigh problem. Endrick had played 37 times in all competitions last season.
That lack of playing time had reportedly put West Ham and Manchester United on high alert. Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claimed that a green light had already been given to a January exit and named West Ham as potential suitors. The Mirror had also named Manchester United, Brighton and Aston Villa as clubs monitoring the striker.
Fichajes even reported that West Ham had gone as far as to make contact with Real Madrid over a loan move for Endrick. The Galacticos agreed a deal to sign the talent from Palmeiras back in 2022 but the forward only made the move to Spain in July 2024 for £30 million.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Endrick preference
However, week L’Equipe claimed that a move to Olympique Lyonnais is the player’s number one choice. The French outfit are also in the market for a new striker as they struggle in front of goal, drawing 0-0 with Brest last weekend, and Endrick would be able to work under Portuguese-speaking boss Paulo Fonseca.
It’s added that there have already been ‘direct talks’ between Fonseca and Endrick over a potential January move with Real Madrid hoping to have everything in place for the player’s move to happen come January 1.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that Endrick’s ‘absolute priority’ is a move to Lyon over the Premier League. Taking to social media platform X on Friday evening, Romano wrote: “Endrick gives absolute priority to Olympique Lyon move despite reports on Premier League clubs keen. He’s tempted by OL opportunity, straight loan until June 2026 as exclusively revealed.”
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