A summer window can look tidy until the first league defeat arrives. Missed targets that felt like footnotes in August become talking points again when the attack goes quiet on a Saturday afternoon.
That is how January lists get written. Clubs revisit the names they would not pay for in July, and they look again at young forwards who are stuck behind a crowded forward line somewhere else.
Real Madrid have more attacking options than most. When one of them is 20 and watching from the bench, other clubs start taking notes.
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It’s been reported Arsenal are preparing talks to sign Endrick from Real Madrid in January. The Brazilian is set for crisis discussions at the Bernabeu after another spell with limited minutes under Jose Mourinho.
The report says those talks could open a door if they go badly. Endrick still believes he can become important in Madrid. The path in front of him is not clear.
Yan Diomande, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler, Carlos Espi and a returning Rodrygo are all on Mourinho’s list. That is a long queue for a striker who shone on loan at Lyon last season, with eight goals and eight assists in 21 games.
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Carlo Ancelotti, who worked with him earlier, once said: “He has this gift, which is very effective, and in training you can see that he has something special. He’s very effective, with a very strong and very rapid shot.”
Arsenal’s own summer attack did not land as planned. Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers stayed put, Julian Alvarez remained at Atletico Madrid, and Eli Junior Kroupi stayed at Bournemouth. Christos Tzolis has not scored freely and Viktor Gyokeres has had a slow start.
Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton has sharpened that debate. Mikel Arteta’s side still have spending power and, according to this reporting, could use it in the winter window.
Nothing has been agreed. Madrid would have to be willing to sell, Endrick would have to want the move, and Arsenal would have to decide he is the number nine they failed to sign in the summer.
Until the Bernabeu meeting happens, this is interest and a crowded squad, not a bid. The international break gives everyone three weeks to decide whether the youngster stays in Spain or becomes the next name on Arsenal’s January shortlist.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal - VAR
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal - VAR