Endrick’s representative, Thiago Freitas, has explicitly denied that the Real Madrid forward is seeking a transfer to Manchester United. The 20-year-old Brazil international has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with reports suggesting he could be a target for the Premier League side, but Freitas told 365Scores—via Diario AS—that these claims are entirely false and that the player has not requested to depart the Santiago Bernabéu.
Multiple independent sources.
Real Madrid invested heavily to bring the forward from Palmeiras in 2024, with the total package—including initial fees, performance-related bonuses, and commissions—estimated to be worth close to €80 million. The club has clear financial incentives to protect this asset, having already considered subsidising parts of his salary, which exceeds €5 million net annually, to facilitate previous temporary exits. While the forward enjoyed a productive second half of the 2025-26 campaign during a loan spell at Lyon—contributing eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances—his immediate role under José Mourinho has been limited by both injury and the high level of squad competition.
Endrick faces intense competition at Real Madrid
Mourinho has publicly backed the youngster, noting his "significant talent" and confirming he intervened to block departure offers during the summer window. Despite this, the reality of the depth chart remains a significant obstacle for the 20-year-old. Endrick currently sits behind Kylian Mbappé and Carlos Espí in the central striking hierarchy. The attacking rotation is further congested by options on the wing, including Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz, and the recent arrival of Yan Diomande. With Rodrygo expected to return to contention in 2027, the path to the starting eleven is narrow. Mourinho, who has consistently stated a preference for a lean squad of approximately 20 core players, has been transparent about the challenge Endrick faces in establishing a consistent rhythm within such a crowded attacking line.
Manchester United’s shifting priorities
Manchester United made inquiries regarding Endrick’s availability during the summer window, but the interest was rebuffed by the Madrid hierarchy. The Old Trafford leadership has since recalibrated its recruitment strategy. With Marcus Rashford remaining at the club, the urgency to secure a new centre-forward has decreased. United’s primary operational focus has instead shifted toward bolstering defensive depth, specifically at left-back, and adding a third central midfielder to mitigate the impact of long-term injuries to Manuel Ugarte and the earlier departure of Casemiro. While Endrick’s profile was viewed as a potential future asset, any move for an attacker has been shelved in favour of addressing these immediate positional deficiencies, and no formal or credible bid has been placed by the English club since their initial inquiry was rejected.
The club will likely continue to monitor the player’s progress as the season develops towards the winter transfer window.
