Chelsea have made a late move to try and derail West Ham’s pursuit of Brazilian sensation Endrick and it has smoked a decision out of the superstar.
West Ham have been one of the main protagonists pushing to try and sign Real Madrid outcast Endrick in the January transfer window.
Talks have already been held and several other clubs have been jostling for position alongside the Hammers.
But now London rivals Chelsea have entered the running.
West Ham have been hoping Endrick could be lured to the London Stadium with the promise of being a guaranteed starter in the Premier League while his close friend Luis Guilherme is also at the club.
West Ham and Chelsea float Palmeiras reunion to Endrick
Chelsea have another of Endrick’s close friends from Palmeiras to lessen West Ham’s appeal with Estevao far more established at Stamford Bridge than Guilherme is in east London.
Endrick has been made available for loan after being frozen out at Real Madrid by new boss Xabi Alonso.
Another Brazilian, Joao Pedro, has been a huge hit at Chelsea since arriving from Brighton in the summer.
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But beyond him, the Blues have a lack of top class options as they look to mount a surprise Premier League title challenge.
West Ham’s challenges come at the other end of the table.
Endrick and Estevao Willian during their time together at Palmeiras
Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to save the Hammers from what was looking like almost certain relegation under the hapless Graham Potter in his first job since flopping at Chelsea.
Nuno is desperate to sign a striker in January and Endrick is one of several forwards who has been linked.
Niclas Fullkrug has been injured yet again over the last month and is set to be moved on in January.
That would leave Nuno with ageing and injury-prone forward Callum Wilson as his only senior forward.
West Ham have made it clear a striker is their top priority in the winter window.
Chelsea launch late hijack of West Ham move for Endrick
That is why they have been lining up Endrick well ahead of time so that he is ready to get started from January 1st.
But now Chelsea have made a late bid to derail West Ham’s move for Endrick and now he’s made a big decision.
Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham’s interest in Endrick was real and concrete.
Soon after Alonso made a big admission about the future West Ham target Endrick, conceding he does not figure in Real Madrid’s plans for the immediate future.
Endrick and Lucas Paqueta celebrate during Spain v Brazil - International Friendly
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Madrid even held a meeting with Endrick and his agents after West Ham’s enquiry, making a decision that he would be loaned out for the second half of the season.
Playing every game is the key for Endrick as he wants to win back his place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup at the end of the season.
Chelsea have tried to rock the boat to get Endrick ahead of the Hammers.
And their interest has at least left everyone knowing where they stand in plenty of time.
Endrick makes his big decision as West Ham and Chelsea miss out
Transfermarkt is reporting that Chelsea have come to the game late for the Brazilian striker, who has been likened to the legendary Romario.
But neither the Blues or West Ham will be bringing Endrick to London it seems.
Because the report claims that after receiving Chelsea’s enquiry following interest from West Ham, the player’s camp has made it clear he will likely be signing for Lyon on loan.
That may explain why West Ham have now switched focus back to summer target Franculino Dju while Man United outcast Joshua Zirkzee is said to remain a strong possibility for a move to east London.